80 COLUMB.E. 



When that takes place, they come in little flocks to claim the 

 reward of that sweet, though plaintive and even mournful 

 melody, with which they have soothed the labours of their 

 mates during the season of leaves and blooms. In August 

 they collect in larger flocks, on the open places near the 

 coasts of the channel, and soon after they disappear, except 

 they happen to be brought by the wind in the manner that 

 has been stated. 



The turtle is a light and slender bird compared with the 

 other species. It is only about two inches shorter, and two 

 inches narrower in the wings, than the rock dove ; and yet it 

 is only about half the weight, being from five to six ounces, 

 while the rock dove is from ten to twelve. 



The colours vary a good deal with age, but in general the 

 prevailing colours are brown, grey, reddish orange, and 

 black, with the belly and tips of the outer tail feathers white ; 

 and in the male, some white on the forehead, and white 

 margins to a patch of black feathers on each side of the 

 neck ; the breast, in the male, is tinted with purplish red ; 

 and the same colour blends very softly with the other colours 

 of the neck, as they pass from the soft grey of the cheeks to 

 the black and orange of the scapulars. The dusky black 

 fading off through brown to bright orange, at the margins, 

 renders the feathers on the upper part of the turtle much 

 more distinct than those of any other of the doves. The 

 patch of dull red under, behind, and partially round the orange 

 iris is another distinction. The young birds are browner 

 than the old ones, and want the ornamental patch on each 

 side of the neck. 



The bird is as mild in its manners as any of the others, and 

 as assiduous in the care of its young. The constancy, and 

 the mourning for its mate, for which the poets have given it 

 credit, are qualities for which there is of course only the poet's 

 license. Though retired, timid, and shy, to perhaps a greater 



