330 
Birds. 
THE RINGDOVE, CUSHAT, OR WOOD 
PIGEON, 
(Columha jpalumbus,) 
Is the largest Pigeon found in our island, by which it 
may be distinguished from all others ; its weight is 
about twenty ounces, its length eighteen inches, and its 
circumference about thirty. It is usually known as the 
Wood Pigeon. This bird is of a bluish grey colour, with 
the feathers of the sides of the neck tipped with white, 
forming several imperfect rings ; the breed is common 
in Britain. Its habits are like those of other birds of 
the tribe, but it is so strongly attached to its native 
freedom, that all attempts to domesticate it, with a few 
rare exceptions, have hitherto proved ineffectual. 
These birds build their nests chiefly on the pine, or 
holly, with dried sticks thrown rudely together ; and 
the eggs, which may frequently be seen through the 
