. Cassell's book of birds . -eightinches and a half; the wing measures nine and the tail six inches and a half The Ring-dove, so called on account of the white feathers that partially encircle the throat, isthe largest of all the wild Pigeons met with in Europe, the waim and temperate portions of which it •44 cassells book of birds. frequents in large numbers, only visiting such northern countries as Sweden and Non\ay during thewarm seasons. It is particularly fond of fir plantations, and in these its tender, cooing note may beheard during the entire spring and summer. In England these Pigeons
. Cassell's book of birds . -eightinches and a half; the wing measures nine and the tail six inches and a half The Ring-dove, so called on account of the white feathers that partially encircle the throat, isthe largest of all the wild Pigeons met with in Europe, the waim and temperate portions of which it •44 cassells book of birds. frequents in large numbers, only visiting such northern countries as Sweden and Non\ay during thewarm seasons. It is particularly fond of fir plantations, and in these its tender, cooing note may beheard during the entire spring and summer. In England these Pigeons resort to woods, coppices,and enclosed ground; and in winter assemble and roost in large parties on the summits of lofty trees,the ash-tree affording them a very fli\ourite gathering-place. Their food consists of young leaves andseeds of various kinds, according to the season of the year. In spring and summer they subsistprincipally on the tender leaves of growing plants, and often commit great ravages in fields of beans. THE PARROT PIGEON (PhalacroUron Ahyssinica). and peas. Spring-sown corn is also attacked by them, both in the grain and the blade ; and as soonas young turnips have put forth their second leaves, they, too, become objects of devastation. As theseason advances they visit the corn-fields, especially those in the neighbourhood of their native woods,and seek for oily seeds of all kinds with great eagerness. At the approach of autumn they assemblem small flocks, and resort to oak and beech trees, where acorns and beech-mast, swallowed whole,afford them an abundant and nourishing diet. In winter these small flocks unite, and form largerones, so large, indeed, that it would appear probable that their numbers are considerably augmentedby arrivals from colder climates. Both parents assist in making their strange and carelessly con-structed abode, which scarcely deserves to be called a nest, being nothing more than a mere platformof twigs, so loosely put together tha
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Keywords: ., bookauthorbreh, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectbirds
