What is "columba palumbus"

Dove \Dove\ (d[u^]v), n. [OE. dove, duve, douve, AS. d[=u]fe; akin to OS. d[=u]ba, D. duif, OHG. t[=u]ba, G. taube, Icel. d[=u]fa, Sw. dufva, Dan. due, Goth. d[=u]b[=o]; perh. from the root of E. dive.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) A pigeon of the genus Columba and various related genera. The species are numerous.

   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 Columba turtur or Turtur vulgaris; the ringdove, the largest of European species, is Columba 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 peace, innocence, gentleness, and affection; also, in art and in the Scriptures, the typical symbol of the Holy Ghost.

2. A word of endearment for one regarded as pure and gentle.

   O my dove, . . . let me hear thy voice.
   --Cant. ii. 14.

3. a person advocating peace, compromise or conciliation rather than war or conflict. Opposite of hawk.

   Dove tick (Zo["o]l.), a mite ( Argas reflexus) which infests doves and other birds.

   Soiled dove, a prostitute. [Slang]

Ringdove \Ring"dove`\, n. (Zo["o]l.) A European wild pigeon ( Columba palumbus) having a white crescent on each side of the neck, whence the name. Called also wood pigeon, and cushat.

Queest \Queest\, n. [Cf. Icel. kvisa a kind of bird, kvistr a branch of a tree, and E. cushat.] (Zo["o]l.) The European ringdove ( Columba palumbus); the cushat. [Written also quist, queeze, quice, queece.] See Ringdove.