[Cf. Du. houtduif, G. holztaube.] = WOOD-PIGEON. Also applied to certain S. African birds allied to this (see quot. 1875–84).

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c. 1386.  Chaucer, Sir Thopas, 59. The wodedowue vpon a spray She sang ful loude and cleere.

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c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 531/2. Wode Dowe, or stokk dowe, palumba.

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c. 1530.  Songs, Carols, etc. (E.E.T.S.), 114. Whan … curlews cary clothes,… & woddowes were wodknyffis, theves to kyll,… Than put in a woman your trust & confidence.

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1729.  Savage, Wanderer, v. 92. While the soft-murm’ring, am’rous Wood-Dove cooes.

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1837.  Macgillivray, Hist. Brit. Birds, I. 287. Columbas Œnas.… Stock Dove. Wood Dove.

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c. 1843.  Carlyle, Hist. Sk. Jas. I. & Chas. I. (1898), 74. Melodious as the voice of wood-doves.

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1875–84.  R. B. Sharpe, Layard’s Birds S. Africa, 564. Haplopelia larvata. Rufous-breasted Wood-Dove. Ibid., 570. Chalcopelia afra. Emerald-spotted Wood Dove. Ibid., 571. Tympanistria tympanistria. White-breasted Wood Dove.

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