DOVES. ■ 453 



vulsive ti'embling which agitates it, especially at breeding-time. 

 It thrives bacllj' in an aviarj-, and is little valued, except as an 

 object of curiositJ^ 



There are two species of Doves — the Turtle Dove {Turtur 

 communis, Linn.) and the Ring Dove {Turtur risorius, Selby). 

 The former is the smallest speciea of the familj^ of Colombidse. 

 They are found throughout Europe, but are more abundant in 

 the south than the north. They arrive in France in spring, and 

 depart for warmer countries at the end of summer. They build 

 their nests in large trees in the shady and most retired parts 

 of woods. They feed on seeds and berries. After harvest they 

 visit stubbles of wheat or other grain ; the abundant nourish- 

 ment which they there find makes their flesh extremely delicate 

 and nutritious. Although naturally wild, the Turtle Dove is easilj' 

 tamed when taken jroung, when it evinces great attachment. 



The Ring Dove is indigenous to Africa, where it lives in a 

 state of freedom. This is the species which, in Europe, is raised 

 in cages and aviaries. In certain towns of Egypt, particularly 

 Alexandria and Cairo, they are so tame that they walk in the 

 streets, and even enter houses, fearless of the presence of occu- 

 pants. They are prolific, for they lay everj^ month, except 

 during the moulting season. Their cooing somewhat resembles 

 a laugh — hence the name of Laughing Dove which has been 

 given them. The ancients made the Turtle Dove an emblem of 

 tenderness. This honour is justified by the kind attention which 

 the male shows the female, especially during the period of incu- 

 bation. 



The Passenger Pigeon (Fig. 183) is the Cohimba mlgratoria 

 of many authors : it inhabits North America. They are remark- 

 able for the strength and rapidity of their flight, and for the 

 migrations which they accomplish. 



The American naturalist, Audubon, says, " Pigeons have been 

 killed in the neighbourhood of New York, having their crops still 

 fuU of rice, which they could not have taken nearer than the 

 fields of Greorgia and Carolina— six or seven hundred miles dis- 

 tant. As their digestion is suflaciently rapid to entii-ely decom- 

 pose grain in the space of twelve hours, it follows that thej- 

 must have travelled the above space at the rate of a mile a 



