BRTTfSH BIRDS. 



THE RING DOVE. 



(.TSHAT, OK QUKEST. 



(Columba Palumbus^ Linn. Colombe rainier, Temm.) 



Is the largest of all the Pigeon tribe, and mea- 

 sures about seventeen inches in length. The bill 

 is pale red: the nostrils are covered with a mealy 

 red fleshy membrane; eyes pale yellow; the upper 

 parts of the body bluish ash, deepest on the upper 

 part of the back, the lower part of which, the 

 rump, and fore part of the neck and the head, are 

 pale ash-grey; the lower part of the neck and 

 breast are vinous ash; the belly, thighs, and vent 

 dull white; on the hinder part of the neck is a 

 semi-circular line of white (whence the name) 

 above and beneath which the feathers are glossy, 

 and of a changeful hue in different lights ; the 

 greater quills are dusky, and all of them, except- 



