40 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



that any damage it (the "Wood Pigeon) does, is abundantly com- 

 pensated by the good that it efifects in the destruction of the seeds 

 of injurious plants." 



I am sorry to say that I cannot indorse this opinion, and my 

 verdict must be against the bird. There can be no doubt, — as I 

 will 2^rove, — that the Wood Pigeon feeds on the leaves, seeds, and 

 roots of various weeds : but, as I have examined the contents of 

 the crops of some thousand or two of Pigeons, I am in a position 

 to state positively that the amount of good done in this way by 

 no means counterbalances the injury done by them to the farmer 

 — especially in the newly-sown corn-fields, and on the young 

 grass fields, where they devour bushels of the leaf of the white 

 clover. Their voracity is most remarkable, and unfortunately 

 their powers of digestion are also almost incredible. Meyer 

 remarks that this bird is very regular in its habits, and my 

 observations exactly coincide with his statements in regard to 

 their hours of feeding. We had this winter, 18G9-70, the most 

 abundant crop of Beech-nuts (or Beech-mast) that I ever saw. 

 The Cushats seemed to come from all parts to feed on this 

 their favourite food, and there were sometimes thousands to be 

 seen feeding under the Beech-trees. At 7-30 or 8 A.M. the ground 

 was blue with them, but by about the time when I had breakfasted, 

 9-15 to 9-45, hardly a bird was to be seen on the ground, — all 

 having breakfasted also, — and being now perched on the tops of 

 the trees in an adjoining wood. About an hour afterwards they 

 were all again feeding. At 12-30 or 1 p.m. I have seen them in a 

 continuous stream going to the large fir-woods in the neighbour- 

 hood, where they have another siesta ; and I have remarked that 

 at this time they fly straight into the woods and alight at once, 

 without tlie preliminary wheeling and circling over the wood in 

 which they always indulge before finally settling down to roost. 

 After another rest they again go out to feed, returning to roost 

 in winter at 3 P.M., and in March and April at 5 to 6 or 7 P.M. 

 When food is scarce, or when there is snow on the ground, I 

 tliink they dispense with the mid-day rest,' but in summer or 

 autumn, or whenever food is abundant, you will find that what I 

 have stated is the daily life of the Wood Pigeon. Now, there is 

 one point which I have not been able yet to determine, which is, 

 — Does the Pigeon during its morning and mid-day intervals of 

 feeding digest all or the greater part of the contents of its crop ? 



