RING PIGEON, on CUSHAT. 
139 
and the power of perching, and they perisli upon the 
ground, emaciated hy hunger and disease. This 
complaint, for many yeara past, has been oltserved 
in the northern districts of tlie kingdom, hut whether 
it prevails to an equal extent in other parts, we have 
had no opportunity of ascertaining. The flesh of 
both young and old is of good flavour, that of the 
latter being little inferior to the moor-game or grous, 
which it is thought by many to resemble in taste. 
This, liowever, can only be said of it, so long as the 
bird derives its support from the stubbles, or the 
produce of the forest ; for as soon as a deficiency of 
other food compels it to resort to the turnip field, 
the flesh becomes imbued so thoroughly with the 
strong flavour of the plant, as no longer to be fit for 
the table. Though the Ring Pigeon frequently ap- 
proaches our habitations during the breeding season 
in search of a site for its nest, and almost seems to 
court the vicinity of man, it always evinces a timo- 
rous disposition, and is startled and alarmed by the 
slightest motion or noise. In the vrinter, and when 
congregated, it becomes still more impatient of ap- 
proach, and is then one of the most wary and watch- 
ful of the feathered race. 
Various attempts have heeri made to domesticate 
the Ring Pigeon, but hitherto without success,* for, 
’ We have lately been informed that a pair of Ring Pi- 
geons, in one of the aviaries of the Zoological Gardens, this 
last year built their nest in a tree or shrub contained with- 
in it, and that the female laid two eggs, which unfortunate- 
