ROCK DOVE.
Columba livia, Lenn.

Le Colombe biset.

Iv is now almost universally conceded that this small and elegant species of Pigeon is the origin of the
numerous domestic varieties which tenant our dovecotes and pigeonlofts. We are aware that the Stock Dove
(Columba enas, Linn.) has been reputed as the parent stock from whence they have sprung; but taking the
habits and manners of the two species into consideration, we cannot fail to perceive on which side the
probability lies, the Codwmba enas being altogether woodland in its habits and strictly migratory, while the
present species is an inhabitant of precipitous rocks, towers, and steeples, never perching on trees, and
generally remaining with us throughout the year. To this we may also add, that the white rump which
distinguishes the Rock Dove is retained by its descendants in captivity, or if it disappear for a few generations
in obedience to the art of the pigeon-fancier, whose skill consists in producing monstrosities in nature, it
uniformly returns, or at least shows so strong a tendency so to do that still further crosses are required to
prevent the white feathers from predominating. As regards the difference in size and form which our
domestic Pigeons exhibit, we have only to observe that they show the same results of the influence of man
upon the animals subject to his controul as do the dog, the sheep, and the ox. One thing is certain, as
experience has well taught us, that domestication has a decided tendency to produce both an increase of size
and a variation of form and colours.

The habitat of the Rock Dove appears to be extended throughout Europe and the greater portion of Africa,
particularly its northern regions, everywhere frequenting the rocks which border the ocean, islands,
precipices, and ruined buildings adjacent to the coast. Along the shores of the Mediterranean and in the
island of Teneriffe it abounds in great multitudes, and in our own islands it is nowhere more plentiful than
in the Orkneys and along the coasts of Wales; it is, however, also to be met with wherever abrupt rocks
near the sea afford it a congenial asylum.

Like the rest of its genus, it lays two white eggs, on the shelves of the rocks, and is said to breed twice or
thrice in the season.

Its food consists of grain and various seeds, to which, according to Montagu, are added the inhabitants
of various land shells, particularly that of the Helv wrgata.

The colouring, which is the same in both male and female, is as follows :

The head, face, and throat deep blueish grey; neck and chest beautiful green and purple, changing in
every light; upper and under surface delicate blueish grey, with the exception of the rump, which is white ;
two distinct bars of black pass across the wings; quills and tail dark grey, the latter tipped with black ;_ bill
brown ; legs and irides red.

The figure represents the bird of the natural size.