THE WOOD PIGEON. 
All the numerous and beautiful varieties of 
this tribe derive their origin from the Stock- 
dove, or Wood Pigeon; which is of a deep 
bluish ash colour; the breast dashed with a 
fine changeable green and purple ; the wings 
marked with two black bars ; the back white, 
and the tail barred near the end with black. 
Such are the colours of the Pigeon in its na- 
tural state ; ^nd from these simple tints the 
effects of domestication have produced a va- 
riety that words cannot describe, nor even 
fancy suggest. The Stockdove usually builds 
in holes of rocks, or in excavated trees. Its 
murmuring note, at morning and dusk, is highly 
pleasing. 
( 88 ) 
