Note: The South African turtledove ({T. albiventris}), and
the ashy turtledove of India ({T. rubicolus}), are
similar to the European species in their habits.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of pigeons more or
less resembling the true turtledoves, as the American
mourning dove (see under {Dove}), and the Australian
turtledove ({Stictopelia cuneata}).
Note: The turtledove of the Scriptures is probably Turtur
risorius, a species which is still plentiful in Egypt
and other Eastern countries. It is closely allied to
the European turtledove.
Note: The domestic dove, including the varieties called
{fantails}, {tumblers}, {carrier pigeons}, etc., was
derived from the {rock pigeon} ({Columba livia}) of
Europe and Asia; the {turtledove} of Europe, celebrated
for its sweet, plaintive note, is {C. turtur} or
{Turtur vulgaris}; the {ringdove}, the largest of
European species, is {C. palumbus}; the {Carolina
dove}, or {Mourning dove}, is {Zenaidura macroura}; the
{sea dove} is the little auk ({Mergulus alle} or {Alle
alle}). See {Turtledove}, {Ground dove}, and {Rock
pigeon}. The dove is a symbol of innocence, gentleness,
and affection; also, in art and in the Scriptures, the
typical symbol of the Holy Ghost.