146 OUR RARER BIRDS 



keepers and countrymen know this species by the name of 

 " Blue Eock " or " Eockier." Although a shy and extremely 

 cautious bird, it is by no means so much so as the Eing Dove, 

 nor will it forsake its nest so soon as that species if it is 

 disturbed. I am often allowed quite a near approach when 

 the bird is seated on a favourite perch on the topmost 

 branches of some noble forest tree, whither it habitually 

 repairs after feeding on the neighbouring fields, and I am 

 permitted to watch its actions apparently unnoticed, provided 

 I exercise a little caution. In studying the economy of this 

 graceful bird you will find that it is much more silent than 

 its congener, the Eing Dove, and its note is seldom heard, 

 except in the pairing or breeding season. Its call too is dif- 

 ferent from the Eing Dove's ; not nearly so soft and soothing, 

 being a hoarse guttural coo repeated most rapidly and earnestly 

 in the vernal season. Stock Doves are fond of bathing, as is 

 the case with most birds of this order ; and a little before sun- 

 set I often pause to observe them take their evening bath 

 and drink previous to retiring to roost amongst the ivy or in 

 the thick gloomy branches of the evergreens. 



The Stock Dove, like all other members of the Pigeon tribe, 

 is a life-paired species, and frequents certain breeding grounds 

 for years, provided it is left unmolested. Its breeding season 

 commences in April, and several broods are usually reared 

 in the season. Indeed, as late as October it is not uncom- 

 mon to find young birds scarcely able to fiy ; and I have 

 known their nests to contain eggs by the second week in 

 April. The site for the nest is a varied one, yet it is 

 always well concealed. An old Magpie's nest is not un- 

 frequently chosen — so, too, is the deserted ''drey" of the 

 squirrel ; and the disused Sparrow-hawk's cradle, should 

 it be well concealed amongst ivy, is a favourite place. 

 Indeed, the Stock Dove has a partiality for ivy almost as 

 great as the AVood Owl, and wdien it builds its own nest per- 



