BLUE-BACKED DOVE. 289 



Female. — The female scarcely differs from the male in ex- 

 ternal appearance, being merely a little smaller, and having 

 the colours less pure, the green on the neck less extended, and 

 the purplish-red much paler. 



Length to end of tail 13^ inches ; extent of wings 26 ; wing 

 from flexure 9i ; tail 5. 



Variations. — In adult individuals no remarkable variations 

 occur, although slight differences are seen in the tints of the 

 plumage. When the feathers are old, they become paler, and 

 the quills tinged with brown towards the end. 



Habits. — According to those writers who profess to be ac- 

 quainted with its habits, the Blue-backed Dove resides in woods, 

 and never betakes itself at night to rocks or old buildings. It 

 has not been observed in Scotland, and even in England is 

 confined to some of the midland and southern counties. White 

 remarks that " as long as it stays with us, from November per- 

 haps to February, it lives the same w41d life with the Ring- 

 Dove, Palumbus torquatus ; frequents coppices and groves, 

 supports itself chiefly by mast, and delights to roost in the tal- 

 lest beeches." Mr. Selby states that " in its habits it resem- 

 bles the Ring-Dove, and is a constant inhabitant of woods, 

 breeding in the hollows of old and pollard trees. In winter 

 the Stock Doves assemble in large flocks, which are sometimes 

 found associated with the Ring Dove. Like the latter, they 

 feed upon all grain and seeds, and for their winter's supply 

 have recourse to the same diet." Whether these particulars 

 are given from the author's observation, or on the authority of 

 others, w^e are not informed. 



Mr. Salmon, in a " Notice of the Arrival of Twenty-nine 

 ]\Iigratory Birds in the neighbourhood of Thetford, Norfolk," 

 inserted in Loudon's Magazine, Vol. IX, p. 520, has some very 

 interesting remarks on this bird. The " Stock Dove (Columba 

 Qj^nas, Linn.), which in all works upon natural history is stated 

 to be only an inhabitant of woods, abounds in this neighbour- 

 hood during the spring and summer months, upon our rabbit- 

 warrens and heaths, to which it annually resorts for the pur- 



