JUNE. 
201 
as they fly^ from the changing lustre of their plumage, pro- 
duces a fine effect. The eye of this species, as of all the 
pigeons^ possesses a peculiarly soft and mild character^ which^, 
with their mournful and gentle notes^ has perhaps contri- 
buted to make them the general favourites which they are. 
The Turtle-dove f Columba Carolinensis J is said by natu- 
ralists to be an inhabitant of Canada^ or migratory here ; and 
I suspect, from its general resemblance, it is often mistaken 
for the passenger pigeon : it is^ however^ smaller^ and of 
more brilliant tints^ and does not assemble in those immense 
flocks that the latter does, it being rare to see in summer 
more than two or three together. They fly with a loud 
whistling sounds, caused by the vibration of their wings. In 
the South I have seen them abundantly^ where their re- 
markably mournful cooings fill the woods all day long. The 
coo of the Turtle-dove consists of five deliberate syllables, not 
/huTy as Wilson has it, though the first is sometimes so low 
as to be unheard unless you are pretty near : the second is 
about five notes or tones higher than the others, which are 
all of one note. It is a very mournful^, but not unpleasing 
sound ; and being quite in character with the umbrageous 
solitudes of those majestic forests, has a soothing effect on 
the mind. They are fond of basking in the dusty roads 
w^hen the sun shines, and are so tame that they will scarcely 
move from a horse's feet. 
C. — There is that peculiar quivering in the air close to the 
ground, or the surface of any object, which we always see 
at this season ; an appearance so exclusively associated with 
bright and warm weather, that the country people in some 
parts of England, have given it the name of " the summer." 
— It is caused by the rarefaction and consequent rising 
of the air : the earth being heated by the sun's rays, gives 
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