ROCK-DOVE, 
COLUMBA LIVIA, J. F. Ginelin. 
Columba livia, J. F. Gmelin, S. N. 1. p. 769 (1788), ex 
Brisson ; Naum. vi. p. 186; Macg. i. p. 268; Hewitson, 
i. p. 274; Yarr. ed. 4, ii. p. 13; Dresser, vii. p. 11. 
Colombe biset, French; Feld-Taube, German; Zurita, 
Paloma brava, Spanish. 
In England this species is exceedingly rare in its pure 
unadulterated form, although many of the denizens of 
our dove-cots very closely resemble their more or less 
remote progenitors. I may here state that it is generally 
admitted by naturalists that all the domestic races of 
Pigeon owe their origin to the present species. On 
certain parts of the coast of Wales the Rock-Dove exists 
in small colonies; it is abundant in suitable localities 
on the western coast and islands of Scotland, in the 
Orkneys and Shetlands, and on the east coast as far 
south as the Bass Rock. In Ireland, wherever sea-caves 
exist, the Rock-Dove is to be met with in numbers. I 
noticed a few in the north of the Isle of Man. My 
acquaintance with this species has been formed chiefly 
on the islands of the Mediterranean, but is by no means 
