BRITISH BIRDS. 17 i 
whence its name — above and beneath which, the 
feathers are glofly, and of a changeable hue in dif- 
ferent lights ; the greater quills are dulky, and all 
of them, except the outermoft, edged with white ; 
from the point of the wing a white line extends 
downwards, palfing above the baftard wing; the 
tail is alh colour, tipped with black ; the legs are 
red, and partly covered with feathers ; the claws 
are black. — Our figure was taken from fpecimens 
fent us by John Trevelyan, Efq. and Mr Bailey of 
Chillingham. 
The Ring Dove is very generally diffufed 
throughout Europe : It is faid to be migratory, 
but that it does not leave us entirely we are well 
convinced, as we have frequently feen them du- 
ring the winter on the banks of the Tyne, where 
they conftantly breed : The nefi: is compofed of 
fmall twigs, fo loofely put together, that the eggs 
may be feen through it from below. The female 
lays two eggs, and is generally fuppofed to have 
two broods in the year : They feed on wild fruits, 
herbs, and grain of all kinds ; they will likewife 
eat turnips, which give their flelh an unpleafant 
flavour. The Ring Dove has a louder and more 
plaintive fort of cooing than the common Pigeon, 
but is not heard except in pairing time, or during 
fine weather ; when it rains, or in the gloom of 
winter, it is generally filent. Their flelh is excel- 
lent, efpecially when young. 
