BRITISH BIRDS. 
OF THE DOVE KIND. 
The various families which conftitute this beau- 
tiful kind are diftinguiihed by fhades and grada- 
tions fo minute as to exceed all defcription. Of 
thefe by far the largefl portion are the willing at- 
tendants on man, and dependent on his bounty ; 
but when we confide r the lightnefs of their bodies, 
the great ftrength of their wings, and the amazing 
rapidity of their flight, it is a matter of wonder 
that they fliould fubmit even to a partial kind of 
domeftication, or occupy thofe tenements fitted 
up for the purpofe of breeding and rearing their 
young. It muft be obferved, however, that in 
thefe they live rather as voluntary captives, or 
tranfient guefls, than permanent or fettled inhabi- 
tants, enjoying a confiderable portion of that liber- 
ty they fo much delight in : On the flightefl difap- 
pointment they abandon their manfion with all its 
conveniences ; fome take refuge in the woods „ 
where, impelled by inftinft, they refume their na- 
tive manners ; others feek a folitary lodgment in 
the holes of old walls, or unfrequented towers ; 
whilft others, kill more domehicated, feldom leave 
their dwelling, and only roam abroad to feek a- 
mufement, or to procure fubfiftence. 
Of thefe the varieties and intermixtures are in- 
numerable, and partake of all thofe varied hues 
which are the conftant refult of domeftication,™ 
