Rock Dove. COLUMBA. COLUMBA. 295 
supposition of this and the preceding species being identical. 
dn form and size they very nearly agree; the Rock-Dove 
being, perhaps, rather more slender. The predominant 
‘shades of each are also much the same; the principal varia- Difference 
between 
Columba 
-lumba zenas is invariably bluish-grey, but in the present spe- @nas and 
! ae ee C. livia. 
cies generally white ; in the two distinct bands or bars cross- 
‘ing the wings of the latter bird ; and in the colour of the 
‘tions consisting in the colour of the rump, which, in the Ce- 
breast and belly, which, in the former, is more of a purplish- 
red. The dissimilarity of their habits, however, marks even 
amore strongly the-specific difference between them, than the 
proofs drawn from the plumage, since (as I have already 
‘mentioned the Stock-Dove to be a constant inhabitant of 
ewoods, and to frequent the interior of the country), the spe- 
scles now under consideration is, in its wild state, always met 
with inhabitmg rocky places, and those principally on the 
ssea-coast. .In.Britain, it is found in. various cliffs along the 
wide extent of our shores, of which I may here mention those 
-of Caldy Island, in South Wales; and is also a never-failing 
resident in the wild precipices of the Orkneys, breeding in 
the caves, which are there numerous, and of large dimen- 
sions ; .and where, according to. Low, it retires to the inmost 
recesses, beyond the situations chosen for incubation by the 
auks, gulls, and other aquatic fowls. 
It is very numerous in the rocky islands of the Mediter- 
ranean, where it also lives and breeds in caverns on the shore; 
and is equally abundant in the north of Africa, especially in 
the Island of Teneriffe, where it is met with in incredible 
numbers. 
With us, and indeed throughout.Europe, it is better known 
as in a state of voluntary subjection, inhabiting buildings 
made purposely for its reception, or betaking itself to ruious 
edifices, church towers, &c. It is from this species that most oyiein of 
of our curious varieties of Pigeon have arisen; for some eee ea 
later ones may have been derived from crosses with other Pigeon. 
species. Of these various kinds, LarHam enumerates up- 
