234 COLUMBIA. 



258. Columba livia, J. F. Gmelin. The Rock-Dove. 

 Moorish. Ham am el Berri. Spanish. Zurita, Paloma brava. 

 "This is the most common of the Pigeons about Tangier, 



living in rocks and even in the ramparts of the town, breeding 

 both in a wild and in a domestic state all the year round." 

 Favier. 



The Rock-Dove is plentiful on both sides of the Straits 

 wherever there are rocks and caves, inland as well as on the 

 coast. Many are resident at Gibraltar, on North Front and at 

 the " back of the Rock " ; and at one time some sport was to be 

 obtained upon getting permission to shoot them ; but a " young 

 and inexperienced " arrival one day, instead of killing pigeons, 

 shot one or more of the celebrated Gibraltar Apes, for which he, 

 amongst suffering other indignities and punishments, was after- 

 wards known as " Du Chaillu." In consequence of this exploit, 

 all leave to shoot there was thenceforth withheld, and very 

 rightly so. 



Pied and white varieties are frequently seen ; whether escaped 

 tame Pigeons or real wild Rock-Doves, I cannot say, probably 

 the former. 



Lower back and rump white ; two conspicuous black bands across the 

 wings ; axillaries white. Length 13 inches. 



259. Turtur communis, Selby. The Common Turtle-Dove. 

 Moorish. Imam, Stitsia, Targal. /Spanish. Tortola. 



" Is a summer resident near Tangier, vast numbers arriving to 

 cross the Straits in flocks during April and May, returning in 

 September and October, then to retire south for the winter. 

 This species is without doubt the origin of the domestic Turtle- 

 Dove *, called limama or deJcrallah (praise of God), some of 

 which birds are pure white." Favier. 



* Favier's opinion is given, but it is not certain which species is the origin of 

 the domestic Dove. 



