NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF lONA. 3 



two in number, generally producing male and female birds. The time for 

 commencing their nestling seems rather variable; this year I found some 

 young ones already hatched, on the 2nd. of April, while other pairs were 

 only erecting their nests. They have several broods in the year, and their 

 eggs may be found unhatched as late as September. 



It is rather a timid bird if often shot at, but is by no means a shy or 

 wary bird: in the fields the feeding flocks may often be openly approached, 

 or the most barefaced attempts at stalking them will succeed. In the breeding 

 season the hen will sit on the nest till approached, and never deserts it 

 though often disturbed, and her nest and eggs handled. She does not seek 

 for inaccessible ledges to build her nest on, but takes any spot which offers, 

 sometimes even the very floor of the cave. If her eggs are taken out she 

 will probably replace them; and if her young are taken when half-fledged, 

 she seems glad to get them so soon off her hands, and at once prepares for 

 rearing her second brood. The young birds instantly become quite tame, and 

 reconciled to hand feeding; indeed, as they grow up, their impertinent boldness 

 becomes rather troublesome. They readily take to the Dovecote, and pair 

 with the tame Pigeons; even with fancy breeds, such as Fantails, etc. If a 

 pair of real wild ones breed in confinement, their progeny at once shew signs 

 of diverging in colour from the natural uniform of their wild ancestry; the 

 young birds are of a dark slate-colour in their first plumage, though they 

 have the same markings as the adult birds. The male is recognised from 

 his mate by a slight superiority of size, and more lustrous plumage. 



In a gastronomic point of view, these Pigeons are one of the most valuable 

 kind of birds wliich frequent our coasts; they are nearly always fat and in 

 good condition, are numerous and always to be procured; besides, being fed 

 constantly upon our barley and oats, one can feel no compunction in levying 

 a tribute upon them in return. 



They are easiest shot while feeding abroad in the fields; at the caves a 

 shout will cause them to fly out, but with such suddenness and swiftness, 

 that it requires something of a Battersea Pigeon- shooter's knack to succeed 

 in hitting them quick enough. An indifferent shot, (after knocking over one 

 or two which may be incautiously napping upon the outer ledges,) had 

 better conceal himself either in the cave or in a good position above it; in 

 a short time a bird is sure to come darting swiftly for its accustomed haunts, 

 but upon catching a glimpse of a lurking foe, he stops his rapid career, 

 flutters his pinions for a moment, uncertain what to do; that momentary 

 indecision is fatal — down he falls! while a roar of a volcano bellows along 

 the vaulted roof, and the cave is filled with wreaths of sulphureous smoke. 



Writing from lona I must not conclude without reminding you of the 

 name of our patron saint, St. Columba, the Dove that first brought to this 

 land the olive branch of mercy. 



lona, May \st., 1852. 



{To be continued.) 



