16 PIGEON. 



sometimes the nest is found in bushes, and in tall hedges, frequently 

 in fir trees, and it is suspected to be partial to the breeding places of 

 the former year, as one has been known to frequent one tree for 

 three years following. The nest composed of a few small sticks, 

 large, flat, and loosely put together. The eggs white, rarely more 

 than two in number. The male and female sit in turn, and the 

 young are hatched in fourteen days. 



Their food is grain of all kinds, but they will eat turnip tops, and 

 greens of all kinds, as well as Ivy Berries, in want of other food ; 

 often destroy crops of peas ; one shot in the spring was found to 

 have no fewer than eighty-five peas in the crop, and these being 

 sown, produced in autumn 6064 in number, equal to two gallons in 

 measure, though the whole did not vegetate. From this may be 

 conjectured, the injury done, not only by these, but by the Pigeon 

 tribe in general, to the farmer, on whose lands they trespass. 



This species is known in England by the additional names of 

 Queest, Cushat, and Wood Culver; said to be most plentiful in 

 Norfolk, and to be very destructive to the corn. 



This species is known throughout Europe, except in the Arctic 

 Zone ; and this not merely on account of the cold, but the defect 

 of food ; common in the Russian forests ; seen in Sweden only in 

 summer; is very scarce in Siberia, and unknown in Norway. To 

 the South we trace it as far as Spain; seen in Aragonia in winter; 

 likewise at Gibraltar, and on the Morocco shore ; is well known, we 

 believe, in Egypt, as it was also to the ancients, under the name of 

 Palumbus*. 



It may probably be found in the East Indies, if the same with 

 one figured in drawings from thence. This was fifteen or sixteen 

 inches long; general colour cinereous grey, or slate-colour, belly and 

 vent pale ; quills black, but no gloss on the sides of the neck. Bill 

 and legs red. The wings reaching half way on the tail. 



* Palumbus torquatus, Mart. Epig. 1. 13. No. 67. 



