200L0GT. 



\ 95 



within a few yards, yet no noise is perceptible ; tliey depo- 

 sit their eggs,, (two in nnraber,) on the bare ground, without 

 any uest. We have known them taken by suspending a 

 beetle on a hook attached to a fishing line, across the 

 branch of a tree ; but the most certain mode of procuring 

 them, is by the gun. Foj figure of C. Europeus^ the Com- 

 mon Goatsucker, see British Ornithology^ vol. 2. 



ORDER IV. 



COLUMBINE. 



Of this Order, there is only one genus, that of the Dove 

 or PiDfi^EON, which is numerous, and dispersed over the 

 greater part of the known world ; the whole tribe are en- 

 dued with vast power of wing ; they usually live in pairsj 

 are gregarious, and constantly lay but two eggs at a sitting, 

 which invariably produces a male and female ; their flesh is 

 eaten, and considered as nutritious to man ; they breed 

 many times in the year, are long Hvedj and feed on grain, 

 pulse, and other vegetable substances. 



Columba. Dove or Pidgegn. Bill weak, conical, pointed * 

 nostrils oval, placed in a soft protuberance that covers 

 the base of the bill ; tongue entire ; toes divided to 

 their origin ; feet formed for walking. 



Three species are common to England, see British Orm- 

 thologi/y vol. 2. 



