PLATE CXXV. 



Turtle Doves inhabit Europe, and fome parts of Afia, being met 

 with in China, and India. In Britain they are not uncommon 

 during the fummer feafon, arriving however later in the fpring, and 

 leaving the country earlier in autumn than any other of the pigeon 

 tribe. 



The conflancy of the Turtle-dove to its mate is proverbial. They 

 build in general in the thickeft woods, forming their nefls on the 

 branches of the loftiefl trees : like the reft of the pigeons, they lay 

 only two eggs ; and, it is concluded, breed only once in a feafon. 

 Thefe birds are of a fhy and timid difpofition, and feldom venture 

 from their woody retreats in the day-time, unlefs in flocks of about 

 twenty together. They fubfift on berries, fruits, and various kinds 

 of vegetables, and are efpecially partial to peas, the fields of which 

 they vifit as foon as the crop begins to ripen, and oftentimes commit 

 vaft depredations. There are fcveral fuppofed varieties of this fpe- 

 cles^ fome of which may prove hereafter to be diftlnft kinds. 



This is a bird of extremely beautiful plumage, and meafures m 

 length about twelve inches. 



PLATE 



'CI 



