290 COLUMBA CENAS. 



pose of nidlfication ; and it is, in general, tlie first that arrives 

 in this district for that purpose. The situation which it selects 

 for its nest differs materially from that chosen by its congeners, 

 the Ring and Turtle Doves (C. Palumbus, C. Turtur), the 

 nests of which are always placed either upon trees or bushes : 

 this species, on the contrary, occupies the deserted rabbit-bur- 

 rows upon warrens ; it places its pair of eggs about a yard from 

 the entrance, generally upon the bare sand, sometimes using a 

 small quantity of dried roots, &c., barely sufficient to keep the 

 eggs from the ground. Besides such situations, on the heaths 

 it nestles under the thick furze bushes (Ulex europaea), which 

 are impervious to rain, in consequence of the sheep and rabbits 

 eating oiF the young and tender shoots as they grow, always 

 preferring those bushes that have a small opening made by the 

 rabbits under the ground. A few pairs occasionally breed in 

 the holes of decayed trees : this is of rare occurrence in this 

 district. It generally commences breeding by the end of March, 

 or the beginning of April ; the young ones, which are very 

 much esteemed, being ready for the table by the commence- 

 ment of June. Towards the end of October they all leave this 

 neighbourhood, none remaining during the winter.^' 



The eggs are similar to those of the E-ock Dove. One in 

 my possession, presented to me by Mr. Greenhow, and from 

 the above locality, is of a rather elongated elliptical form, an 

 inch and seven twelfths long, one and one twelfth across, and 

 of a pure white colour. 



Remarks. — This species is easily distinguished by the pur- 

 plish-red colour of the lower part of its neck, from blue-rum23ed 

 individuals of the domestic pigeon, with which it was always 

 confounded until M. Temminck separated the tw^o species. 

 The name of Stock Dove was given to the present species be- 

 cause it was conceived to be the original of our domestic pigeons; 

 but as these are now universally admitted to be the descendants 

 of the Rock Dove, Columba Livia, it is manifestly absurd to 

 retain a name founded on an erroneous supposition. The Rock 

 Dove in fact is the real Stock Dove. To prevent misap- 

 prehension, I have therefore altered the vernacular name of 

 Columba CEnas. 



