1 42 natural history 
RING DOVE. 
These birds delight in thick and impene- 
trable woods ; building their nests unon the 
trees, and principally of dried sticks and 
grass. They assemble in flocks at the com- 
mencement of winter, but separate into pairs 
during the breeding season, when they begin 
to utter their cooing noise. The Ring Dove 
is the largest of all the English pigeons; and 
is distinguished from the other species, by 
being of a cincrous colour, having the tail- 
feathers blackish towards the extremity; the 
quill-feathers of the wings whitish on tlie 
outer edge; and a white and somewhat cres- 
cent-shaped mark on each side of the neck- 
