ZOOLOGY. 95 



within a few yards, yet no noise is perceptible ; they depo- 

 sit their eggs, (two in number,) on the bare ground, without 

 any nest. We have known them taken by suspending a 

 beetle on a hook attached to a fishing line, across the 

 branch of a tree ; but the most certain mode of procuring 

 them, is by the gun. For figure of C. Europeus, the Com- 

 mon Goatsucker, see British Ornithology/, vol. 2. 



ORDER IV. 



COLUMBINE. 



Of this Order, there is only one genus, that of the Dove 

 «r PiDGEONT, which is numerous, and dispersed over the 

 greater part of the known world; the whole tribe are en- 

 dued with vast power of wing ; they usually live in pairs, 

 are gregarious, and constantly lay but two eggs at a sitting, 

 which invariably produces a male and female ; their flesh is 

 eaten, and considered as nutritious to man ; they breed 

 many times in the year, are long lived, and feed on grain, 

 pulse, and other vegetable substances, 



Columba. Dote or Pidgegn. i??7/ weak, conical, pointed; 

 nostrils oval, placed in a soft protuberance that covers 

 the base of the bill ; tongue entire ; toes divided to 

 their origin ; feet formed for walking. 



Three species are common to England, see British Orni- 

 ihology, vol. 2. 



