RING-DOVE. 345 



especially those of fir and pine — isolated trees in the 

 hedgerows or in the open fields, or even tall dense 

 hedges, are all selected without any very appreciable 

 choice or selection. The nest is made at almost any 

 height, from a few feet to a hundred from the ground. 

 It is a simple structure, merely a few dead sticks and 

 twigs wove basket-like into a flat platform, through 

 which the eggs may often be seen from below. I have 

 known the nest of this bird to be made in the abnormal 

 bush-like growths so common on the wild cherry tree 

 and the elm, also in tufts of mistletoe on poplars and 

 whitethorns. The bird is not a very close sitter, usually 

 dashing from the nest at the first disturbance, although 

 I have known it remain on the eggs very quietly and 

 persistently if it thought itself unseen. It makes little 

 or no demonstration, and flies right away into the cover. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Ring-Dove are two in number nor- 

 mally, but very exceptionally three, or even one. They 

 are oval and elongated in form, smooth in texture, and 

 with some polish, and pure white. Average measure- 

 ment, v6 inch in length, by r25 inch in breadth. In- 

 cubation, performed by both sexes, lasts from seventeen 

 to twenty days. 



Diagnostic characters : The eggs of this species 

 can only be confused with those of the Rock-Dove 

 (excepting of course those of the Domestic Pigeon), but 

 they are almost invariably larger. The two birds also 

 breed in widely different situations (conf. p. 349). 



