The Scottish Naturalist. 163 



ON COLUMBA LIVIA IN CENTKAL ABEKDEENSHIKE. 

 By Wm. WILSON, Junior. 



FROM the interest shown by ornithologists in my note to Colonel 

 H. M. Drummond Hay, informing him of the presence of 

 a dove known as rock dove in the locality where I live, it occurred to 

 me that a short account of the bird might be of interest. It has 

 nested beside the rivulets of the Coreen Hills as long as any one re- 

 members. From two to four pairs reside on each rivulet. They are 

 exceedingly shy, and are continually on the alert ; and if disturbed at 

 all while the nests are in course of formation, they generally forsake 

 them. Sometimes, if twice, and almost invariably if four times dis- 

 turbed, from time the eggs are dropped until they are hatched the 

 birds will forsake their nests and eggs. I know no bird so apt to do 

 so. While it is evident that the wood pigeon is in its element in 

 localities where art has replaced nature, both as regards residence in 

 artificial woods in society, and seeking food on cultivated lands, the 

 form in question remains almost alone, and derives its chief food from 

 natural pastures and moors. When feeding on cultivated fields, and 

 in contact with a flock of wood pigeons, they do not always shun 

 them, but act similarly to rooks and hooded crows, and when dis- 

 turbed, each pair takes its own way ; of course, it is similar when 

 leaving a field when undisturbed. 



They are permanently resident, and I have, at one time or other, 

 seen nests at all seasons ; if the weather is mild, even in mid-winter. 

 The usual place for the nest is on the rocky or gravelly ledges by the 

 rivulets, where sheltered by the overhanging surface, which, containing 

 roots, &c, is more coherent, and overhangs the looser part of the side of 

 the brae on the sides of most of our Highland rivulets; it being under- 

 stood that I mean by side of the rivulet not edge of the water, bur 

 the edge of the top of the precipice worn out in geological time by 

 the action of the rivulet or other natural causes. Sometimes the nest 

 is made on a birch or willow bush by the side of the rivulet, say in 

 about one case in six or thereby ; and once I found a nest on an open 

 hillside, situated like that of a grouse or moor-fowl. The young, 

 when touched in the nest, show temper ; when handled, at least be- 

 fore the feathers grow, they are extremely delicate, and sometimes die 

 when held a short time in one's hand. They are very liable to dis- 



