PIGEON. 5J 



the breast and sides dusky grey ; belly, thighs, and vent, white ; 

 tail rounded in shape, blackish, tipped with white ; the two middle 

 feathers wholly dusky brown, and the outer one much shorter, and 

 white on the outer edge; legs red. 



The female is a trifle smaller, and the colour less bright. 



This is not uncommon in these kingdoms ; appears in spring,* 

 and disappears the beginning of September; for although we allow 

 of some remaining, if not all, of the Common and Ring Species, it is 

 probable, that the Turtle wholly migrates. It is pretty common in 

 Kent, in the skirts of woods, frequenting the fields of peas, in flocks 

 of twenty or more, sometimes making great devastation ; said to be 

 round in small flocks in Romney Marsh, in August; annually visiting 

 the same spot ; not uncommon in Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, 

 and Shropshire; rarely as far southward as Devonshire ;f how far 

 north they are known in England, we have not been able to deter- 

 mine.J We believe it to be a species which does not bear cold, and 

 think that it is not an inhabitant of Sweden, or Linnaeus would have 

 entered it in his Fauna Stiecica. It is, however, noted by most 

 authors, and well known in all the moderate, and warmer climates 

 of Europe, as well as in Africa and Asia, and most of the adjacent 

 Isles; § extremely frequent in the south of Russia, and in the rocky 

 country beyond the Lake Baikal. Said to be highly favoured in the 

 Turkish Dominions, where it is extremely plentiful ; Government 

 allowing a certain rate percent, in respect to the duty on corn, on 

 their account; a crowd of these constantly alight on the vessels 

 which cross the Port of Constantinople, and carry their commodity 

 uncovered to the magazines, or mills; and the boatmen never oppose 



* Mr. Marknick's earliest date of appearance is June 4; but I once saw this in Kent, 

 March, 31, 1792. See Lin. Trans. Vol. i. 122. f Oni. Diet. 



J A flock of these seen at Prestvvick Carr, in Northumberland, Sept. 1794, and one of 

 them shot ; this agreed with the Common Turtle, excepting the mark on each side of the 

 neck, which was wholly wanting. — Bewick, p. 273. No doubt a young bird. 



§ In Java, Ind. Zool. p. 42. Osb. Voy. i. 158. The Common English Turtle met 

 with in the Island of Savu. — Mr. Pennant. In India called Barkown. 



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