Family COLUMBIDAE. 



Columba oenas L. — Stock-Dove. 



(Plate 110, fig. a-c). 

 (Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 76, No. 179). 



Colour of surface of stiell: 

 Average dimensions: 

 Average weight of shell: 

 Texture of shell: 

 Shape : 

 Nest: 



Site of nest: 



Number of eggs: 

 Breeding season: 

 Duration of incubation: 



white, often tinged a delicate cream-colour. 



37 X 28 millimetres. 



1.1 gram. 



not specially characterized. ') 



mostly short-oval. 



consists of dry twigs, roots and leaves, 

 sometimes also of moss. 



in hollow trees and rabbit-burrows; also in 

 shrubs, and in dense vegetation on or 

 immediately above the ground. 



2 (as a rare exception 3i. 



April— October. 



about 17 days. 



1) The internal structure, i. e. that of the underlying layers of the shell, 

 differs in the Coliimbidae from, e. g., that of the Families belonging to the 

 Oscincs. See on this subject: W. VON Nathusius, Abgrenzung der Ordnung 

 der Oscinen von den Clamatoren, Scansorcn und Columbiden durch die Structur 

 der Eischalen. 



