160 BRITISH BIRDS. 



GENUS CXXXIV. TURTUR, Selby (1835). 

 Bill much as in Columba but more slender. Tail longer 

 and somewhat graduated. 



248. Tuptup tuptup (Linn.). TURTLE-DOVE. 



Hab. Western Palaearctic region. 



Adult : mantle rufous-brown ; rest of upper parts bluish- 

 grey, with a patch of black and white feathers on each side 

 of neck ; tail tipped with white ; throat and breast light 

 vinous-red; belly whitish. Length 11*50. Young: 

 browner, and black and white feathers are absent from 

 neck at first. 



Common generally from May to September, although 

 scarce in the extreme north and west. To Scotland chiefly 

 a straggler. To Ireland a rare visitor ; probably breeding 

 occasionally in south. Frequents woods and copses, 

 making a slighter nest than Ring-Dove's and lower 

 down. Eggs: creamy-white; size 1*20 by "90. 



GENUS CXXXV. ECTOPISTES, Swainson (1827). 



249. E, migpatopius (Linn.). PASSENGER PIGEON. 

 Hab. Eastern Nearctic region. 

 Five examples have been obtained, but it is by no means 



certain how many of these were wild. 







ORDER PTSRQCZiUTES. 

 Family Pteroclidee. 



GENUS CXXXVI. SYRRHAPTES, Illiger (1811). 

 Bill small, upper mandible slightly decurved from base ; 

 nostrils basal, concealed. Wings very long, pointed. Two 

 middle tail-feathers very long and tapering. Tarsi very 



