BRITISH BIRDS. 
&70 
THE KING DOVE. 
CUSHAT, OR QtJEEST. 
( Columba palumbus , Lin . — Le Pigeon ramler y Buff) 
This is the larged of all the Pigeon tribe, and 
meafures above feventeen inches in length : The 
bill is of a pale red colour, the noilrils being co- 
vered with a mealy red flefhy membrane ; the eyes 
are pale yellow ; the upper parts of the body are 
of a blueilh alh colour, deeped on the upper part 
of the back, the lower part of which, the rump, 
and fore part of the neck and head, are of a pale 
alh colour ; the lower part of the neck and bread 
are of a vinous alh colour ; and the belly, thighs, 
and vent are of a dull white ; on the hind part of 
the neck is a femicircular line of white— from 
