DOVE, a name applied to the smaller members of the order Columbae, but no sharp distinction can be drawn between pigeons (q. v.) and doves.
The English ring-dove or wood-pigeon (Columba palumbus) is a common bird in most parts of Europe, where it is the largest species. It may be recognized by the large white patches on the wings and the white spot (sometimes absent, however) on either side of the neck, whence it gets its name. Its familiar cooing song is remarkable for its abrupt close. It makes a slight platform of sticks on the horizontal bough of a tree and thereon lays two white eggs. In the wild state, it is very wary and the flight is strong and rapid.
The stock-dove (C. genus) is smaller and breeds in hollow trees or rabbit-holes. It is darker than the ring-dove, lacking the white on the wings and neck, and is locally distributed.
The rock-dove (C. livia) is the parent stock of our domestic pigeons. In the wild state it haunts the rocky coasts of Europe. Domestic pigeons have been classified by Darwin (Variation of dnimals and Plants under Domestication) in four groups: I. The "Pouters," having the gullet of great size, barely separated from the crop and capable of inflation.
II. Three races: (I) "Carriers," with a long bill and eyes sur rounded by bare skin. (2) "Runts," with a long massive bill and large body. (3) "Barbs," with a short bill and bare skin round the eyes. There are numerous sub-races.
III. An artificial group, comprising five races : (I) "Fan-tails," Iii. An artificial group, comprising five races : (I) "Fan-tails," whose tail may consist of 42 rectrices, instead of the normal 12. (2) "Turbits" and "Owls," with the feathers of the throat diverging and a short thick bill. (3) "Tumblers," which tumble backwards during flight. (4) "Frill-backs," in which the feathers are reversed. (5) "Jacobins," with the neck-feathers forming a hood.
IV. Resembling the normal form and including two races: (I) "Trumpeters," with a tuft of feathers at the base of the neck, curling forward, and a peculiar voice. (2) Pigeons scarcely differing from the wild stock.
The differences extend to every part of the body. Doves have from time immemorial been employed as messengers (e.g., Gen. viii. 8—I2).
The headquarters of the Colurnbidae are the Papuan sub-region (see PIGEON) .
The turtle-dove of Europe (Turtur auritus) is a summer vis itor to the northern parts of the Continent. The collared or Barbary dove (T. risorius) is distinguished by its cream-coloured plumage and black necklace.
In North America the name is given to the very widely dis tributed mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura) ; the white-fronted dove (Leptotila fulviventris brachyptera), from southern Texas to Guatemala; the Mexican ground dove (Columbigallina pas serina pallescens), and the Inca dove (Scardapella inca) of Texas and Mexico.