THE DOVES. 245 



is unfortunately composed for the most part of grain, peas, 

 clover, and various seeds, all of which man has planted 

 for his own use, so that the bird is no favourite. The 

 nest, a j^latform of sticks, is placed at almost any height, 

 commonly in the tops of the fir-trees ; but I have also 

 taken the eggs, especially on wooded hillsides, less than 

 4 feet from the ground. It is likewise known to lay in the 

 deserted dreys of squirrels or nests of hawks or magpies. 

 Two or three broods are reared, the first eggs being found 

 in the early days of April. Eggs, 2, if inch ; glossy white. 



The Stock-Dove is a smaller and more silent bird, and 



may be distinguished by the absence of the white collaret. 



In the Highlands this dove has extended its 

 Stock-Dove. . , , , <• i , ,i 1 .^ 



range considerably 01 late years, though it was 



till comparatively recently found no farther north than the 

 Forth. In Ireland, it appears still confined to parts of the 

 east coast ; but along the south and west coasts of Eng- 

 land it seems to be extending as rai3idly as in Scotland. 

 Its flight is still more rapid than that of the ring-dove. Its 

 food consists largely of charlock and other seeds. The bird 

 makes no nest, but lays its eggs in rabbit-burrows, holes in 

 trees and clififs, deserted nests of magpies and other birds, 

 squirrels' cages, &c. Eggs, 2, i^ inch; yellowish white. 



The Rock-Dove, the wild form of our domestic pigeons, 

 is distinguished best by its white rump and black bars on 

 the wing. It is a bird essentially of the ground, 

 of the cliffs and foreshore ; and its distribution 

 amons: the coast caves of Scotland and Ireland seems to 

 be general, though in England it is exceedingly local, and 

 absent from apparently suitable districts. It is a well- 

 known resident on the Isle of Man, and Flamborough 

 Head is a favourite breeding-station. The bird feeds, like 

 the rest, on grain and seeds, and it also drinks much and 

 regularly. It nests on ledges in caves, the nest being a 

 very slight structure. Eggs, 2, ij4 inch ; pure white. 



