(1. Columba, Swains).

Bluish ash; a white space on the sides of the neck, and on the edge of the wing; extremity of the tail black.

C. Palumbus, Temm. Man. d'Orn. torn. 11. p. 444. Id. Pig. et Gall. torn. 1. p. 78. Ring-Dove, Mont. Orn. Diet. Selb. Illust. vol. 1. p. 406. pl. 56. f. 1. Bew. Brit. Birds, vol. 1. p. 307.

Dimensions

Entire length sixteen inches six lines: length of the bill (from the forehead) nine lines and a half, (from the gape) one inch two lines; of the tarsus one inch four lines; of the tail six inches six lines; from the carpus to the end of the wing ten inches: breadth, wings extended, twenty-nine inches four lines.

Description

Head, cheeks, throat, rump, and basal portion of the tail, bluish ash; on each side of the neck a patch of white; a narrow line of the same colour running longitudinally down the wing near the edge; breast and upper part of the belly vinaceous red, with glossy green reflections; back and wing-coverts deep bluish gray; quills dusky, edged with white; a broad black bar at the extremity of the tail; vent, thighs, and under tail-coverts, grayish white: bill orange; the soft portion at the base covered with a white mealy substance: irides light yellow: feet red. (Egg). White: long. diam. one inch eight lines; trans, diam. one inch two lines.

Common in wooded districts throughout the country, remaining the whole year. Utters a cooing note, heard from February to the beginning of October. Builds in April: nest placed in trees, formed of twigs loosely put together, and very shallow. Eggs always two in number. Frequently a second, or even a third brood. Food, grain and seeds of various kinds; during severe weather, the leaves of turnips, and other vegetables. Collects in large flocks at the approach of Winter.