COLUMBH. COLUMBA. 287 
certain peculiarities of anatomical structure; yet, in other re- 
spects, they differ from them so essentially, as to shew the ne- 
cessity for their forming a distinct order. 
Their flight is generally strong, and can be long support- 
ed.—They are strictly monogamous, and build upon trees, 
or on the ledges and in the clefts of rocks; and lay but two 
egos, which are incubated alternately by both sexes. The 
young, when first excluded, are partially covered with down, 
remain in the nest until they are able to fly, and are fed by 
the parent-birds, who disgorge into their mouths the food 
that has undergone a maceration, or semi-digestive process, — 
in that part of the cesophagus usually called the Crop or 
Craw. The act of reproduction is always preceded by ca- 
resses peculiar to the members of this order.—Their food 
consists of grain and seeds; rarely of fruits. ‘They drink 
with a continued draught; the bill being plunged into the 
liquid up to its base. Their form is symmetrical and ele- 
gant, and free from the bulky heaviness that distinguish the 
subjects of the gallinaceous order. 
Genus XXXIX. DOVE. COLUMBA, Linz. 
GENERIC CHARACTERS. 
Bill (except the point, which is deflected) compressed and 
straight. Base of the upper mandible covered with a soft pro- 
tuberant cartilaginous substance, in which the nostrils are 
lodged towards the middle of the bill, forming a longitudinal 
cleft. Feet with three toes before, entirely divided, and with 
one hind toe, articulated on the heel. Wings of mean 
length; the first quill rather shorter than the second, which 
is the longest. 
The observations made upon the order are equally appli- 
cable to the genus, and to the particular species found in 
Britain, all of which belong to that section styled by Tem- 
