404 RA SORES. COLUMBID.E. 



&c. Of the fifth family of the present order (Cracidae) we 

 liave no examples in Europe. 



Family I, COLUMBID.E, Leach. 



The birds of this family (which forms tlie first of the Ra- 

 sorial Order), were arranged by the earlier systematists al- 

 ternately among the Passerine and GaU'maceous birds ; or 

 even as an order separate from both, and holding as it were 

 an intermediate station. A close investigation, however, of 

 their anatomy, both external and internal, of their habits 

 and food, evidently proves that their affinity to the Gallina- 

 ceous or typical Rasores is much stronger than that which 

 connects them with the Insessores, though the latter is suffi- 

 ciently strong to support the required connection between 

 the two. Ey former writers, the various birds contained in 

 this family were arranged under one genus (Columba), not- 

 withstanding the difference of character and form exhibited 

 by many groups, particularly apparent in such as approach 

 nearest to the Gallinaceous families. Others, after the ex- 

 ample of Temminck, have adopted a sectional division ; but 

 I prefer the plan of distinct genera, as countenanced by se- 

 veral eminent ornithologists of our day. In addition to the 

 genus Cohimba, as now restricted (of which Columba JEnas 

 may be regarded as the type), the present family contains 

 the genus Vinago (Cuv.), in which the bill is much thicker 

 and stronger, and the feet better adapted for perching ; 

 Ptilunopus (Swains.) ; and Lophyrus (Vieill.), in which 

 genus the wings become concave, short, and rounded, the 

 tarsi lengthened, and the whole form more assimilated to the 

 liirds of the next family. The food of the Columbidae con- 

 sists of grain and seeds, as well as the fruit, or 7nast, of cer- 

 tain trees and shrubs. Some of the species build their nests 

 in trees, and lay but two eggs (incubated by both sexes al- 

 ternately), and the young are there reared till able to fly. 



