TURTLE-DOVES. 427 



It has a habit, after it has risen to a certain height, of throwing five 

 or six somersaults. 



The Wheeling Pigeon describes circles like birds of prey. It is 

 turbulent, and ought to be banished from pigeon-houses. 



The Nun Pigeon is recognised by a kind of hood formed of raised 

 feathers, which covers the back of the bead and neck, and to which 

 it owes its name. It flies heavily, but is very familiar and very prolific. 



The Fan-tailed Pigeon is remarkable for its tail, which is very large, 

 and raised like that of the Peacock, and for the convulsive trembling 

 which agitates it, especially at breeding-time. It thrives badly in an 

 aviary, and is little valued, except as an object of curiosity. 



There are two species of Turtle-doves, Turtur communis and 

 Turtur risorius. The former is the smallest species of the family of 

 Colombidse. They are found throughout southern and temperate 

 Europe, but are more abundant in the south. They arrive in France in 

 spring, and depart for warmer countries at the end of summer. They 

 build their nests in large trees in the shady and most retired parts of 

 woods. They feed on seeds and berries. After harvest they visit 

 stubbles of wheat or other grain; the abundant nourishment which 

 they there find makes their flesh extremely delicate and nutritious. 

 Although naturally wild, the Turtle-dove is easily tamed when taken 

 young, when it evinces great attachment. 



The latter is indigenous to Africa, where it lives in a state of 

 freedom. This is the species which, in Europe, is raised in cages 

 and aviaries. In certain towns of Egypt, particularly Alexandria 

 and Cairo, they are so tame that they walk in the streets, and even 

 enter houses, fearless of the presence of occupants. They are 

 prolific, for they lay every month, except during the moulting season. 

 Their cooing somewhat resembles a laugh — hence the name of 

 Laughing-dove which has been given them. The ancients made the 

 Turtle-dove an emblem of tenderness. This honour is justified by the 

 kind attention which the male shows the female, especially during 

 the period of incubation. 



The Migratory or Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius, Fig. 

 163) is the Columba migratoria of many authors: it inhabits North 

 America. They are remarkable for the strength and rapidity of their 

 flight, and for the migrations which they accomplish. 



The American naturalist, Audubon, says, " Pigeons have been 

 killed in the neighbourhood of New York having their crops still 

 full of rice, which they could not have obtained nearer than the 

 fields of Georgia and Carolina — 600 or 700 miles distant. As 

 their digestion is sufficiently rapid to entirely decompose grain in 



