134 ) RING PIGEON, OR CUSHAT. 
ed in the relations of various travellers. Temminck 
mentions it in his History of the Pigeons, as inha- 
biting parts of northern Asia and Africa, and it is 
known to be a native of Madeira, as well as another 
nearly allied species, lately described in the “ Illus- 
trations of Ornithology,” under the title of the Co- 
lumba Trocaz. In America it has not yet been re- 
cognized, neither does it appear among the species 
which abound within the tropical latitudes of the an- 
cient world. In Britain it is distributed from one 
extremity of the kingdom to the other, residing per- 
manently w'ith us ; for, though subject to a partial 
movement upon the approach of winter, when the 
various individuals scattered over the country collect 
together, and form extensive flocks, no actual migra- 
tion takes place, but these congregated masses still 
keep within their respective districts. The magni- 
tude of these winter flocks, has no doubt suggested 
the idea, that a migration from distant climes to this 
country annually takes place at this season of the 
year, and that the numbers of our native stock are 
thus augmented. We see no necessity, however, for 
supposing this to be the case, nor is it authorised by 
any observed or established fact. The species in 
districts favourable to its increase appears to be suf- 
ficiently numerous to account for the largest bodies 
ever seen assembled together. 
This congregating of the Ring Pigeons takes place 
towards the end of October or beginning of Novem- 
ber, at which time all the autumnal broods have be- 
