14 
(Plate XX.) 
Fig. a. The Rock Dove (Columba livia) which 
is found wild in many parts of Europe, is believed 
to be the original stock from whence all our nume- 
rous varieties of tame pigeons are derived. The 
prevailing colour is a paler or darker bluish-grey, 
the neck shines with blue and purple shades, and 
there are two black transverse bands on the wings. 
Fig. b. The Trumpeter is remarkable for its 
peculiar long-sustained and resounding coo. The 
legs and feet are covered with very long feathers. 
Fig. c. The Tumbler has short, naked feet, 
a small round head, and large pearl-coloured eyes: 
It is remarkable for a swift and rapid flight, during 
which it turns over and over in the air. 
Fig. d. The Tern Pigeon is a small breed with 
an unusually small beak, and several rows of raised 
feathers running from the middle of the throat over 
the breast, which form a distinct ruff. 
Fig. e. The Fan-tail is a little smaller than 
the Rock-dove, and has a large tail of from 28 to 
32 feathers, which it can spread like a peacock 
Fig. f. The Nicobar Pigeon (Columba nicobarica) 
is more like a domestic 
fowl than a pigeon, both 
in form and habits. It has 
long feathers hanging 
down on the sides of 
the neck. It lives mostly 

on the ground, and 
makes its nest under tee 
bushes. It inhabits the Egg of Stock Dove. 
Nicobar Islands, the Malay Islands, and the Moluccas. 

(Plate XXI.) 
Fig. a. The Stock Dove (Columba @nas) may 
be distinguished from the Rock Dove by the absence 
of the black bands on the wings; the white colour 
beneath the wings and on the back; the reddish- 
yellow beak, and the more slender form. It is com- 
mon in Europe, but is only seen in summer in the 
colder districts. It inhabits woods. 
Fig. b. The Pouter is another of the strange 
domesticated varieties of the Rock Dove. It can 
inflate the skin of its neck to an amazing extent, 
and its voice is a dull hollow coo. 
Fig. c. The Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes mi- 
gratovius) has a long pointed tail of twelve feathers, 
and long pointed wings, adapted for rapid and long- 
sustained flight. It inhabits North America, and 
migrates in vast flocks for hundreds of miles from 
one spot to another. 
Fig. d. The Laugher Pigeon (Columba risoria) 
came originally from Africa, but has long been 
domesticated in Europe. 
Fig. e. The Turtle-Dove (Zurtur vulgaris) is 
bluish-grey on the head and neck, and the breast 
is purplish. The sides of the neck are ornamented 
with scattered ring-like series of feathers. It is a 
very pretty dove, and very easily tamed. 
Fig. f. The Crowned Pigeon (Gaura coronata) 
is one of the largest of the family, and is not much 
smaller than a hen turkey. It is of a slaty-blue 
colour above, with reddish-brown white - striped 
wing-coverts, and has a beautiful crest on the head. 
It is found in New Guinea. 
B. AUTOPHAGI. 
Order VI. 
The strong beak is hard to the root; the head 
1s always ornamented with bare spaces, or spong 
excrescenses (called the comb and wattles); the 
wings are generally short, and the flight heavy, the 
tail consists of stiff feathers, which can be raised and 
expanded like a fan in many species; the legs are 
strong, the toes are furnished with blunt claws for 
scratching up the ground, and the hind toe is placed 
higher than the others, and is generally rudimentary. 
The male is generally provided with a sharp spur above 
the hind toe, as a defensive weapon. They are found 
on heaths, and in meadows and woods, and generally 
feed on grains and seeds which they pick up from 
the ground. Many species are reared for their flesh 
and eggs, 
Tetraonide. 
(Plate XXI.) 
The Quails have a small and somewhat raised 
beak, a short tail, entirely concealed beneath the 
feathers of the rump, and no spurs on the legs. 
They are found in cornfields, and live a very se- 
cluded life. 
diester, 
much more 
which it 
Family I. (Partridges.) 
The Quail (Coturnix communis) is not 
than half the size of a_ partridge, 
resembles in habits and appearance. It is 
3S 
Gallinae. 

(Game Birds.) 
common in many parts of Europe, where its short 
sharp cry is frequently heard in the fields. 
(Plate XXII.) 
The Grouse have a short thick sharply-ridged 
beak, upon which the nostrils are surrounded by a 
thickly-feathered membrane. There is a red crescent- 
shaped naked skin over the bare eyelids. The 
forehead and the throat are feathered. The short 
strong legs are feathered either to the toes or to 
the shanks. They mostly frequent wooded districts 
in mountainous countries, and none of the species 
are migratory. 
Fig. a. The Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) in- 
habits mountains in the 
northern parts of Europe 
and Asia, and is fur- 
nished with a covering 
of hair-like feathers, to 
the toes. It is mottled with 
darker in the summer, 
and becomes white in 
winter. It feeds on the 
buds and leaves of low- 
growing Alpine plants, 
and never perches on trees, 

Egg of Ptarmigan. 
but digs long galleries 

