THE WOOD-PIGEON OR RtNG DOVE 203 



distinguish either of the species from the trueDucks already described. 

 On the coast of Norfolk the popular name ' Smee Duck ' includes 

 several kinds of Ducks, and I presimie the present species ; but the 

 bill, in the form of an elongated and almost cylindrical cone, with 

 the edges of both mandibles furnished with saw-like teeth pointed 

 backwards, cannot faU to distinguish the genus Mergus. 



The Smew, or Smee, properly so called, is a winter visitor with us, 

 more impatient of cold than the Duck-tribe generally, and conse- 

 quently frequenting the southern more than the northern parts of 

 the island. In open weather it resorts to oiu rivers and fresh-water 

 lakes, where it feeds on small fish and other aquatic animals, which 

 it obtains by diving. In severe frosts it either flies farther south 

 or repairs to tidal rivers and harbours. Though not a rare bird, it 

 is sparingly distributed. It is found on many of the continental 

 rivers, even those which are far distant from the sea, but is not often 

 kUled, as it is shy of being approached, readily takes wing, flies 

 swiftly, and as a diver is most rapid and expert. It is, however, 

 Httle sought after, for, in spite of its relationship, its strong fishy 

 flavour prevents it from passing muster as a Duck. Of its nesting 

 little or nothing is known. In the north of Devon it is called, 

 according to Montagu, ' Vare Wigeon ', from the supposed resem- 

 blance of its head to that of a ' vare ' or weasel. I have also heard 

 it called the ' Weasel Duck ' in Norfolk, and on the south coast the 

 ' Wesisel-headed'. 



ORDER COLUMBiE 



FAMILY COLUMBIDiE 



THE WOOD PIGEON OR RING DOVE 



COLUMBA PALUMBUS 



Head, cheeks, neck, and upper part of the tail, bluish grey ; back and wing- 

 coverts darker ; a white crescent-shaped spot on each side of the neck 

 surrounded by scale-likb feathers with green and purple reflections ; 

 primaries grey towards the base, white in the middle, and dusky towards 

 the extremity, with the outer web white ; tail barred with black at the 

 end ; abdomen whitish ; bill orange, powdered with white at the base ; 

 iris light yellow ; feet blood-red ; claws brown. Length sixteen and a 

 half inches. Eggs pure white. 



Two hundred and fifty years ago the taste for keeping different 

 sorts of Pigeons was as strong as it is in the present day, and the 

 popular names of Runts, Croppers, Shakers, Carriers, Jacobins, 



