Oh! linger not, hunters, the way is long; I will guide your steps to the secret hoard; Give heed to my notes, so shrill and clear: And now let the foot of the hunter rest, Give heed to my note, so shrill and clear: 176 CHAPTER H. THE FOURTH ORDER. GALLINE. The Gallinaceous birds are so named from their affinity to the domestic cock. This order is composed chiefly of a very natural family, remarkable for having furnished us with the most part of our domestic poultry, and with some excellent game.—Cuvier. ORDER GALLINE. The Ring-dove. Cushat. Columba Palumbus. THIS is the largest of the pigeon, or dove tribe. It is seventeen inches in length. It inhabits woods and forests, and selects the highest trees for its abode. It is so shy and retired a bird, that we rarely see it, though its soft, gentle coo, may be heard in fine mild weather, by those who dwell in the neighbourhood of woods, or wander beneath their shade; and we know no sound more expressive of tranquil enjoyment than this soft wood-note, coming out of the depths of the grove or the forest, when the air is calm and the skies are blue, and the fields are arrayed in their summer loveliness. The greater part of the ring-doves are supposed to leave England in November: they pass over to the continents of Asia and Africa, and do not return till March. The cones of the pine, the fir, and the larch, furnish their favourite food; they likewise feed on beech-nuts, acorns, herbs, wild fruits and grains. In countries where the myrtle abounds, myrtle-berries seem their chosen dainties; and when thus fed, their flesh is said to acquire a particularly fine flavour. The ring-dove builds its nest on the tops of the highest trees. It rears two broods in the year, the first in April, the second in July. The eggs are rarely more than The male and female birds divide the labour of hatching them, and in sixteen or eighteen days the young birds make their appearance. This bird is found in most of the countries of Europe. two. We need scarcely refer to the emblematic use made of the dove by writers of every age, as a symbol of purity, gentleness, fidelity, &c. She is, indeed, surrounded by a bright halo of hallowed associations, some of which are of too sacred a nature to be lightly alluded to. We can never cease to turn with delight to that interesting page in the history of the world, in which the dove is first introduced to our notice, as one of the many inmates of the ark. From early infancy our attention is rivetted by the beautiful and touching narrative of the inspired historian, who describes the gentle bird going forth from her place of shelter, and returning thither again and again, until the overflowing waters, restrained once more within appointed limits, left the earth a fit dwelling-place for man, and bird, and beast. Doves have been long held in the highest veneration by the Eastern nations. They were classed by Moses as clean birds, and might be offered in sacrifice by those who were too poor to bring a more costly oblation. Names derived from that of the dove, in various oriental languages, seem to have been used as descriptive of loveliness, and were especially applied to beautiful women. The celebrated queen Semiramis is said to have derived her name from semir-jemamah, the brown or moun tain-dove; and in honour of her, the dove was used by the Syrians and Assyrians as a military ensign. THE DOVE. The dove hath left her safe retreat, Forsaken ark! thy safe retreat Or shall the exile plead in vain ? And takes the wand'rer in once more. Oh! rest thee now, thou wand'ring dove, Nor tempt the faithless world again. |