154 PIGEON SHOOTING. 



(speaking of it only as a British bird). It is found 

 in the open parts of Norfolk and Suffolk, where it 

 sometimes constructs its nests in rabbit holes and 

 burrows: elsewhere it will seek for pollards and 

 decayed trees wherein to breed ; and sometimes it is 

 found in the entangled furze-bushes that are weather- 

 tight. It is known to mix with the woodpigeon ; it 

 is also gregarious at the same season, and its food is 

 alike. The young stockdove is very good eating, but 

 not comparable to the flesh of the ringdove when it 

 has abstained from the turnip or cabbage field. The 

 plumage of this species is remarkable for the sort of 

 mineral lustre of its breast feathers. In conclusion, 

 we may remark, that the woodpigeon is distributed 

 over our islands ; that the stockdove selects the 

 southern districts, and the rock-pigeon is most nu- 

 merous towards the north. 



In Jamaica, there are many varieties of this tribe : 

 some of whom have great beauty of plumage, as 

 the Blue pigeon and Mountain witch ; and others, as 

 the Ring-tail pigeon, extraordinary delicacy of flavour. 

 The latter is found only in the woods of Jamaica 

 interior, and when in season, in the autumnal months, 

 is extremely fat, and of most exalted savour. Of the 

 doves, too, there is one species, called the Ground dove, 

 from its frequenting the roads and pathways for food, 

 the size of a lark, and of most delicate plumage. We 

 doubt, however, whether in delicacy of plumage any of 

 the dove species excels our cushat, that favourite of 

 our woods, where she threads her leafy way, or sits 



