Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 08.djvu/82

LEFT RING-DOVE 56 of St. Peter in an ancient fishing boat, is the official ring of investiture of the Pope. It is broken and another made on the death of each Pontiff. RING-DOVE, or CUSHAT, the largest of the pigeons inhabiting Great Britain, a bird which occurs very generally throughout the wooded parts of Europe. It is migratory in countries in which the severe winters preclude the possibil- ity of its obtaining a due supply of food, and even in Great Britain, in which it permanently resides, it appears on the approach of winter to assemble in flocks, and to perform a limited migration, probably in search of food. A bluish- gray color prevails generally over the head, cheeks, neck, back, and rump, while the breast and under parts of the neck are of a purplish red, the belly and thighs dull white. A patch of white on either side of the neck forms a sort of ring or collar. RINGED SNAKE, a harmless colu- brine snake (Tropidonotus or Coluber natrix), with teeth so small as to be incapable of piercing the skin. It is common in England. It feeds on frogs, mice, young birds, etc., which it swal- lows alive. It is torpid during winter. RING MONEY, a form of currency consisting of rings which seems to have originated with the Egyptians. It is still used in parts of Africa, and is manu- factured in Birmingham for the use of African traders. A similar form of money was found by Caesar among the Celts of Gaul, and appears also to have prevailed in Great Britain, as well as among the Scandinavian nations of northern Europe. RING OUZEL (Turdus torquatus, or Merula torquata), a species of thrush, rather larger than a blackbird. It is a native chiefly of the W. parts of Eu- rope; it spends the winter in the S. of Europe, northern Africa, Syria, and Per- sia, and visits more northern regions in summer. It occurs frequently in many parts of the British Islands, where it breeds even in the Orkneys. It is sel- dom seen in the more cultivated and thickly peopled districts, preferring moun- tain slopes, heaths, and their vicinity. The nest is made of coarse grass, within which is a thin shell of clay, and an inner lining of fine dry grass. The eggs are usually four; greenish blue in color, flecked and spotted with reddish brown; and not infrequently there is a second brood in July. The food consists of worms, slugs, insects, and moorland ber- ries, and the bird often makes raids on fruit gardens, while in vine countries it feeds largely on grapes. In some parts RIO DE JANEIRO of Scotland it is known as the moor blackbird. It is of a dark-brown, almost black, color; the feathers are edged with blackish gray, the wing feathers more conspicuously with gray, and there is a broad crescentic white gorget — whence the name. The legs and feet are brown- ish black. The female is lighter and browner, with a narrower and duller gorget. The song consists of a few loud, clear, and plaintive notes, but is some- what monotonous. See Ouzel. RINGWORM, an eruptive disease of the skin, more particularly on the head, and of which there are several kinds. The most common kind commences with clusters of small light yellow pustules, which soon break and form thin scabs, which, if neglected, become thick and hard by accumulation. When removed, they appear again in a few days; and by these repetitions the incrustations be- come thicker and the area of the patches extends, so as, if unchecked, to affect the whole head, and extend also to the forehead and neck. The patches are of an irregular circular form. This dis- ease occurs generally in children of three or four years and upward. It is said to occur spontaneously in children ill-fed and uncleanly. The principal local treat- ment, when the patches are in an in- flamed and irritable condition, consists in regular washing or sponging with warm water or some emollient fomenta- tion. RIO DE JANEIRO, the metropolitan province of Brazil, taking its name from the river Janeiro, which runs through it. It is bounded N. by the province of Espiritu Santo, E. and S. by the Atlan- tic ocean, and W. by the extensive re- gion of Minas-Geraes; area, 26,634 square mlies; pop. (1917) 1,605,274. It is extremely fertile, producing sugar in great abundance, which is accordingly one of its chief exports. The other products are coffee, cotton, maize, rice, indigo, cacao, and fine woods. The coun- try is mountainous, and is well wooded and watered. RIO DE JANEIRO, or simply RIO, a city and seaport, capital of Brazil and of the province of the same name, and the largest and most important commer- cial city of South America; on the W. side of one of the finest bays in the world, 80 miles W. of Cape Frio. The city stands on a tongue of land close to the shore, on the W. side of the bay, at the foot of several high mountains which rise behind it. The houses are generally built of stone or brick. The streets are straight, well paved, and have excellent footpaths. The convents