CHAPTER XVI. 



THE WOOD-PIGEON. 



The wood-pigeon, ring--dove, or cushat is one of the most 

 familiar and poetical of our birds. Its low, plaintive coo-goo- 

 roo-o-o is one of the pleasantest sounds of our summer woods. 



"Tell me, tell me, cushat, why thou meanest ever. 

 Thrilling all the greenwood with thy secret woe ? 

 ' I moan not,' says the cushat, ' 1 praise life's gracious Giver 

 By murmuring out my love in the best way that I know.' " 



The wood-pigeon belongs to a large family of birds — colum- 

 bina or doves. The earliest mention of them in the world is in 

 Genesis, when Noah, wearied with the confinement of the ark, 

 and seeing that the mountain tops were visible, selected from 

 the imprisoned creatures — first the raven, then the dove, to go 

 forth and report to him of the state of the earth. The raven, 

 however, came not back, .no doubt finding food which tempted 

 him to stay ; whilst the dove, finding no rest for the sole of her 

 foot, returned, and Noah, putting forth his hand, took her in. 

 Again he sent her forth, and she came back in the evening, 

 and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off. A third 

 time she was sent forth, but now she returned no more. So 

 Noah looked out, and behold the face of the earth was dry. 

 And he and his family, and all the creatures, again went forth 

 and possessed all things. 



