HABIT OF THE RING-DOVE. 27 



Thoir only constant associates are two or three pairs of Dobchicks, or Little 

 Grrebes, (Podiceps minor,) of Latham, that breed in the island; on which, 

 should I find at any time your interesting pages experience the Homeric nod, 

 I may venture to proffer a few observations. 



J. C. 



Mick J MI, JJevon., 4th. March, 1851. 



HABIT OF THE RTXG-DOVE— WOOD PKiEON^. 

 {COLUMBA PALUMBUS.) 



IIY THE REV. RICHARD PYE ALINGTON. 



l']vERY person Avho has travelled over the north wolds of Lincolnshire, must 

 have remarked the vast extent of larch fir plantation that ornaments, or as 

 some people say, destroys the beauty of that wild and fertile district. Never- 

 theless, to the ornithologist it presents many attractions. Varieties of birds 

 here abound— Titmice, Creepers, Gold Crests, Jays, Hawks, and, particularly, 

 it is the constant abode of that fine species of Dove, the Wood Pigeon, 

 (Columba palumbus.) But the admirer of the feathered tribe is not alone in his 

 enjoyment; the entomologist also may find his amusement; various species 

 of Papilionida9 may be taken flitting over the green sides that intersect 

 these plantations, and, hanging from the branch of the larch, (frequently at 

 some height from the ground,) may be seen the nest of a species of wasp, (vespa 

 horealis,) called in this neighbourhood the ^Scotch wasp.' I have procured this 

 nest when out of reach, by a simple process — striking the stem of the tree, the 

 inhabitants fly out, when, shooting off the branch, (beware, for a solitary fly will 

 sometimes rush upon the intruder,) down comes the nest, leaving the astonished 

 insects at the top of the tree. But to return to my subject. Early in September 

 the Ring-Do ve begins to collect, and the flocks keep increasing until Christmas; 

 at this season, I speak within bounds when I say, thousands may be seen 

 together; and if a snow-storm or a sharp frost is about to set in, their numbers 

 become quite astonishing. Early in the morning they leave their roosting- 

 grounds, and settle upon the young clover lays; and should the barley, as they 

 say, have been ^clean' raked, do infinite damage to the farmer by destroying 

 his green crop; but, in the early part of the season, the pigeons feed almost 

 entirely upon grain picked up from the stubbles — a good handful may be taken 

 from one bird — and, as I believe they feed three times a day, what an 

 incredible quantity must be lost by the farmer, to satisfy such vast multitudes! 



They are now good for the table, but as winter draws on, they commence 

 feeding upon the leaves of the turnips, which gives them a rank flavour; but 

 this may be much obviated by cropping the bird immediately upon its being killed : 

 the leaves are generally cut into small (three quarters of an inch,) square pieces. 

 I have met with persons who dispute their feeding upon the bulb of the plant, 

 but any one, during severe weather, may find the turnips pierced in many places, 



