WOOD-PIGEON or BING-DOVE. 



COLUMB.4 PALUMBUS, Linn. 



Columba palumbus, Linn. S. N. i. p. 282 (1760) ; Naum. 

 vi. p. 168 ; Maccj. i. p. 259 ; Hewitson, i. p. 271 ; Yarr. 

 ed. 4, iii. p. 1 ; Dresser, vii. p. 3. 



Colombe ramier, French ; Ringel-Taube, German ; Paloma 

 torcdz, Spanish. 



This fine Pigeon is so abundant throughout the 

 United Kingdom that it is difficult to write anything as 

 to its habits that is not generally known. I am, and 

 have been for more than ten years, unable to visit 

 London, but it is pleasant to hear that the Wood- Pigeon 

 has become common, and now breeds regularly every 

 year, in many of the metropolitan parks and other public 

 resorts. This has long been the case in Paris and 

 many other continental cities, and to lovers of birds it 

 is gratifying that the present species has become tame 

 from the protection afforded to it by " Londoners," and 

 seems to be free from the assaults of all enemies, except 

 the unnecessary domestic cat, in the busiest haunt of 

 men. Except during the nesting-season the Wood- 

 Pigeon is by nature one of the most wary of our birds, 



