THE RING-DOVE. 



423 



Guinea and the Moluccas. The plumage of this bird is of a beautiful 

 greyish blue ; its head is ornamented with a pretty plume of straight, 

 long, and tapering feathers ; it is about the size of a Domestic Fowl, 

 and very highly esteemed for the qualities of its flesh; consequently 

 the inhabitants of the above islands raise it in their poultry-yards. 



-Crowned Pigeon. 



COLOMBES. 



Colombes have slender beaks, long wings, and short tarsi. The 

 principal species are the Ring-dove, Stock-dove, Rock-dove, Domestic 

 Pigeons, Turtle-doves, and Migratory Pigeons. 



The Ring-dove or Wood-guest (Columba palumbes), are the largest 

 species of this family ; their plumage is slaty grey, with bluish, green, 

 and rose-coloured reflections. They are spread throughout all Europe, 

 excepting the snowy regions of the North. They are very common 

 in France, where they arrive in numerous flocks early in March, 

 generally departing in October or November. The Ring-doves or 

 Cushats, as they are also called, inhabit forests, and delight among 

 the branches of large trees. They feed upon acorns and beech-nuts, 

 and are very partial to cherries and strawberries. With the farmers 

 this bird is far from a favourite, for its appetite is insatiable, and it is 



