200 
NATURAL HISTORY 
known to fly at the rate of seventy-two miles in the 
space of two hours and a half. 
Turtle Dove. ( Coliimba Carolinensis . Wil. PL 32.) 
The turtle dove is a smaller bird than either of the pre- 
ceding, and is easily distinguished by the yellow iris of 
the eye, and by a beautiful crimson circle that encom- 
passes the eye lids. 
The note of this bird is singularly tender and plaintive; 
in addressing his mate, the male makes use of a variety 
of winning attitudes, cooing at the same time in the most 
gentle and soothing accents; on which account the turtle 
dove has been represented, in all ages, as the most per- 
fect emblem of connubial attachment and constancy. It 
arrives late in the spring, and departs about the latter 
end of August: it frequents the thickest and most shel- 
tered parts of the woods, where it builds its nest on the 
highest trees; the female lays two eggs. 
The fidelity of these birds has furnished poets and sen- 
timental writers with the most beautiful allusions; and it 
is generally asserted, that if a pair be put in a cage, and 
one happen to die, the other will not survive it. 
Mr. Wilson, the celebrated American ornithologist, 
has the following beautiful remarks on this bird. u It is 
a favourite with those who love to ramble in our woods 
in spring, and listen to their varied harmony. They will 
there hear many a singular and sprightly performer, but 
none so mournful as this. The hopeless woe of settled 
sorrow, swelling the heart of female innocence itself, 
could not assume tones more sad, more tender and af- 
fecting. Its notes are four; the first is somewhat the 
highest, and preparatory, seeming to be uttered with an 
inspiration of the breath, as ii the afflicted creature were 
just recovering its voice from the last convulsive sobs of 
distress. This is followed by three deep and mournful 
moanings, which no person of sensibility can listen to 
without sympathy. A pause of a few minutes ensues, 
and again the solemn voice of sorrow is renewed as be- 
fore. 1 here is, however, nothing of real distress in all 
this; quite the reverse. The bird who utters it wantons 
by the side of his beloved partner, or invites her by his 
