GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 



145 



rough-shelled, and of a glossy white ; both ends are of equal breadth. The work of incubation is 

 shared by both parents ; the father, in such broods as we have observed, taking his place upon the 

 nest from about nine or ten in the morning till three or four in the afternoon. When first hatched 

 the young are fed with pulp from the crops of the adult birds, and, when older with softened seeds. 

 When strong enough to go forth into the world, each parent takes care of a fledgling, and conducts it 

 into the fields to seek for food on its own account. Towards man these birds exhibit much timidit)^, 

 and if disturbed whilst brooding often desert their eggs. 



THE RING-DOVE, OR WOOD PIGEON [Palumbus torijuatlis). 



The Ring-dove is easily tamed, but ver}' rarely breeds in captivity ; and even when reared from 

 the nest, if set at liberty, it at once seeks its native woods, and never voluntarily returns. 



In all ages of the world this Dove has been regarded witli especial favour, and, as a sacred 

 symbol, is in some countries regarded with particular reverence. 



The Himalayan Cushat differs from the European by the neck-patch being clayey butt" instead 

 of white, and much contracted in size, also in the less extent of the white border to the primaries. 

 Mr. Blyth also notices that whilst in European birds the green gloss prevails above the neck-patch, 

 and amethystine below, the reverse is the case in the Asiatic race. This 'Wood Pigeon has only been 

 found in the North-western Himalayas, near Simla, and in the Alpine Punjaub. It visits die salt 

 range and the plains of the Punjaub during winter. 

 VOL. HI. — gS 



