72 COLUMB^E. 



KING-DOVE (Coluinba palumbus). 



The ring-dove, if not the most abundant in numbers, is 

 the most generally distributed over the country ; and it is 

 everywhere a favourite, even with those farmers in the 

 neighbourhood of woods, upon whose crops, their peas espe- 

 cially, it commits considerable ravages. It has in conse- 

 quence many local or provincial names the Wood-pigeon, 

 the Quest, the Cushat, the Cusha-doo, and many others, all of 

 which are favourite words in their localities. 



The ring-dove is, indeed, one of the most ornamental birds 

 in the British woods. It is considerably the largest (British) 

 bird of the order ; and it is the most elegant in its form, if 

 we except the turtle, which is much smaller, and a very local 

 as well as a migatory bird. The ring-dove is about eighteen 

 inches long, and thirty in the extent of the wings. It weighs 

 about a pound and a quarter. The other species should, from 

 their length (about thirteen inches and a half), weigh not 

 more than ten ounces, if of the same proportions ; but they 

 weigh eleven, or more. They are more bunchy and less 

 graceful at the shoulders than the ring-dove. The whole out- 

 line of the bird is fine, combining symmetry and vigour in 

 an eminent degree. 



The colours are also beautiful, and remarkably constant in 

 the individuals. The bill is orange, the membranous portion 

 at the base covered with a white mealy powder, similar to 

 that found under the wings of most pigeons. The head, 

 cheeks, and neck, are of a very peculiar changing grey, which 

 inclines more to black or blue, according to the light in which 

 it is seen ; and there are obscure darker bars on the back 

 part. The pale yellow irides of the eyes contrast beautifully 

 with the general colour of the head and neck. Two spots of 

 white, one on each side of the neck, near its insertion, almost 



