ECTOPISTIN^. 
167 
comparative length of their toes, the inner in this 
section being longer than the outer toe ; whereas in 
the true pigeons they are of equal length, ami by the 
form of the tail which is more or less graduated, be- 
ing merely rounded in the common Turtle, and gra- 
duated to an extreme degree in the Passenger Pigeon 
(Ectopistes migratoria). The passage from the pi- 
geons to the turtles is by an easy gradation of form, 
and is effected by such species as the Columba Le- 
vaillaritii of Wagler, which in external appearance 
bears a close resemblance to the Turlur risorius of 
South Africa, but retains the bill and feet of the pre- 
ceding group. A great similarity exists in their ha- 
bits and manners, and, like most of the true pigeons, 
they are gressorial as well as arboreal birds, their 
feet being equally adapted for walking or grasping. 
They seek their food upon the ground, and subsist 
upon the different cerealia, pulse, &c. They repose, 
roost, and nidificate upon trees, and, like the pigeons, 
lay but two eggs each hatching. Few of the minor 
groups, or genera, or by whatever name the lowest 
assemblage of species may be denominated, have yet 
been characterised. We may point to the turtles or 
group containing the common Turtle Dove, the do- 
mestic Turtle, &c. as one ; another, as we have above 
stated, is represented by the Passenger Pigeon of 
America ; a third seems indicated by the Columba 
huneralis of Temminck, the Columba erythrauchen 
of Wagler, in which the wings are comparatively 
short and rounded, having the first quill-feather ab- 
