( 42 ) 

 The Wood-Pigeon. Oenas. 



Numb. XLVI. 



T T is bigger than the common Pigeon ; its Weight was fourteen Ounces 

 •^ and a half; its Length from the Tip of the Bill to the End of the 

 Tail, was fourteen Inches long; and the Breadth, when the Wings 

 were extended, was twenty fix Inches : the Colour and Shape, of the 

 Body are like that of the common Pigeon ; the Bill alfo a like, and of 

 equal Length, of a pale red Colour; the Noilrils were great and pro- 

 minent; the Top of the Head cinereous; the Neck covered withchang^ 

 ^ble Feathers, which as they are varioully objedled to the Light, appear 

 of a purple or fhining green, no Silk like them ; the fore Part of the 

 Breaft, the Shoulders and Wings are dafhed with, a purpliih or red-wine 

 Colour, whence it took the Name [Oenas.) The Wings, Shoulders, 

 and middle of the Bacl^ are of a dark Afh-colour; the lefl of the Back 

 to the Tail of a paler ; all the quill Feathers (except ths four or five 

 outmoft, which are all over black with their Edges white) have their 

 lower Part cinereous, and their upper Part black ; the Tail is five Inches 

 long made up of twelve Feathers, having their lower Part cinereous, 

 their upper, for one third of their Length, black ; the nether Side, of 

 the Body, excepting, the upper Part of the Breaft, is all cinereous; the 

 Wings clofed reach not to the End of the Tail ; in both Wings are 

 two black Spots, the one upon two or three quill Feathers next the 

 Body, the other upon two or three of the covert Feathers incumbent 

 upon thofe Quills^ both Spots are on the out Side of the Shafts, and 

 not far from the Tips of the Feathers; the two outmoft Feathers of 

 the Tail have the lower half of their exteriour Veins white. 



The Feet are red, the Claws black; the Legs feathered down a little 

 below the Knees; the blind Guts very fhort: it had no Gall-Bladder 

 to be found ; it had a large Craw full of Acorns and other Grains : It 

 had a mufculous Stomach, long Tefticles, and a long Breafl-bone» 



the 



