igS Northern Observations of Inland Birds 



what was happening, he was across the loch and out of 

 sight among the crags beyond. No pigeon that ever flew 

 could attain results of this sort, and the peregrine 

 undoubtedly holds the mastery of the air among British 

 birds. 



Any kind of well-wooded country satisfies this adaptable 

 dove, though its favourite breeding haunts are perhaps 

 the dense spruce plantings which cover the hillsides in 

 many parts, and are the chosen haunts of the long-eared 

 owl. Exploring such woods — it is helpful to carry a 

 compass — I have learnt more about the ways and the 

 enemies of the woodpigeon than elsewhere, and among 

 such surroundings its chief enemies are, undoubtedly, 

 long-eared owls, squirrels, and stoats. Stoats hunt in 

 the timber more than most people think, and are specially 

 given to searching for birds' nests in ivy-covered trees, 

 which ring doves often frequent. The squirrels are 

 undoubtedly more destructive in some locaHties than in 

 others, and long-eared owls feed chiefly on the young 

 of ring doves during spring and summer. 



It is interesting and curious to observe how in some 

 birds the protective instinct in nesting is very highly 

 developed, while in others, excellent parents in most 

 ways, it is hardly developed at all. Most ground breeding 

 birds sneak secretly off their nests at the very first approach 

 of danger, not only taking good care not to show them, 

 but further resorting to all manner of tricks in order to 

 lead the intruder away. Others rely on their protective 

 colouring, and will not stir till almost stepped upon. 

 The partridge covers its eggs on leaving its nest till the 

 verdure is sufficiently grown to render the precaution 

 unnecessary, while many waterfowl cover their eggs at 

 all times when leaving them. The pigeon, on the other 

 hand, lays her two conspicuous eggs on a platform so 

 flimsy that they can generally be seen through the bottom 



