BRITISH BIRDS. 317 



ing the outermost, edged Avith white ; from the 

 point of the wing a white line extends downwards, 

 passing above the bastard wing; the tail is ash- 

 grey, tipped with black; legs red, and partly co- 

 vered with feathers ; claws black. 



The Ring Dove is very generally diffused, 

 throughout Europe : it is said to be migratory, 

 but that it does not leave us entirely is certain, 

 for they assemble in flocks during the winter on 

 the banks of the Tyne, where many of them con- 

 stantly breed in the spring. They build on trees. 

 The nest is composed of small twigs, so loosely 

 put together, that the eggs may be seen through 

 it from below. The female lays two white eggs, 

 and is generally supposed to have two broods in 

 the year. They feed on acorns, wild fruits, herbs, 

 and grain of all kinds ; they likewise are very fond 

 of the roots of the pernicious weeds so well known 

 to farmers under the denomination of whickc/is, of 

 which the Triticniii rcfciis, or couch-grass, is the 

 principal: their flesh is very delicious when they 

 have fed upon these, but it soon acquires an un- 

 pleasant flavour when they have lived upon tur- 

 nips, which, from necessity, they are driven to eat 

 in severe winters. The Ring Dove has a louder 

 and more plaintive sort of cooing than the com- 

 mon Pigeon, but is not heard except in pairing 

 time, or during fine weather. 



