320 VERTEBRATA. AVES. 



Poultry ; the orbits of the eyes are naked, and some 

 of the details of their internal anatomy mark a 

 closer affinity to the present Order than to the 

 Perchers. The loud note of the Ringdove (C. Tor- 

 quata) has a striking resemblance to the crowing of 

 some of the Gallinaceae, and other species approach 

 very near, even in form and general appearance, 

 to the Domestic fowl ; one species in particular, the 

 Nicobar Pigeon, ( C. Nicobarica,) by its heavy body, 

 robust scaly feet, and concave wings, by the long, 

 narrow, pointed, coppery feathers of the neck, and by 

 its habitual residence on the ground, perching only 

 on low branches to roost, has been even named by 

 one author* from its similarity to the common Cock. 

 The Pigeons are found in every part of the globe, 

 except in the Polar regions ; they are, however, 

 most abundant in the rich islands of the East In- 

 dies and the adjacent Archipelagoes. Here they 

 multiply prodigiously, and many of the species are 

 marked by an elegance of form and beauty of co- 

 louring unknown to ours. Green is the predomi- 

 nating tint, varied, however, and enlivened with yel- 

 low, orange, azure, and purple. Our own northern 

 kinds are marked with soft hues, which, though more 

 sober, have a chasteness and delicacy that are scarcely 

 less pleasing. The tender melancholy character of 

 the voice, termed cooing, the peculiarly meek and 

 melting expression of the eye, their parental soli- 

 citude, and their conjugal affection, have in all ages 

 marked them out as emblems of peace, and love, 

 and tenderness. 



* C. Gallus, by Wagler. 



