ROCK DOVE. 289 



iii its natural and wild state inhabits high rocks near the 

 sea-coast, in the cavities of which it lives the greater part 

 of the year, only venturing during summer as far inland as 

 may be necessary to visit the nearest cornfields, or other 

 places, from which it can obtain its food. The Rock Dove, 

 as a species distinct from the Stock Dove, was called 

 Columba livid, on account of its lighter or more livid blue 

 colour ; the pure white on the lower part of the back ; the 

 two conspicuous black bars across the wings ; the voice, in 

 conjunction with the habits, so opposite to those of the 

 Stock Dove, are sufficient proofs of distinction, and accord- 

 ingly the Rock Dove is not only admitted as a good 

 species, but from several other circumstances there appears 

 to be no reason to doubt that the Rock Dove is also the 

 species from which our Domestic Pigeons were originally 

 derived. 



This bird has a very extensive geographical range, being 

 found as far north as the Faroe Islands, and southward at 

 Teneriffe, Madeira, over North Africa, inhabiting most of 

 the rocky islands in the Mediterranean, and eastwards as 

 far as Greece. In our own country it is not only found on 

 some of the high cliffs of our southern coast, but, according 

 to Sir William Jardine and Mr. Selby, it is found in 

 various parts both of the east and west coasts of Scotland. 

 The specimen from which the figure here engraved was 

 taken, was given me by John Malcolm, Esq., who brought it, 

 with some others, from Scotland. Mr. Macgillivray has 

 recorded that he found it in quantities inhabiting the rocks 

 and promontories of the Hebrides. The Rev. Mr. Low 

 and Mr. Salmon include it among the birds of Orkney, 

 where, the latter gentleman observes that it is very nume- 

 rous, breeding in the crevices of the rocks, but the nests are 

 placed at such a depth that it is impossible to reach them. 



VOL. II. U 



