TURTLE-DOVE 



263 



coverts white ; tail dusky, all but the two middle feathers tipped 

 with white, the outer feather edged with white externally ; iris 

 yellowish red; feet red; bill brown. Length, eleven and a half 

 inches. 



The turtle-dove differs from other British doves in its much 

 smaller size and in being a summer visitor to England. It arrives 

 in the southern counties at the end of April, and ranges as far 

 north as Westmorland and Cumberland ; in the west of England, 

 and in Wales and Ireland, it is a somewhat scarce bird. Like the 

 wood-pigeon and the stock-dove, it is believed to be increasing its 



FiQ. 89. — TuKTLE-DovE. i natural size. 



numbers. It inhabits woods and plantations, and being of a shy 

 disposition, is not often noticed. In the autumn it may be seen in 

 small companies, usually composed of a pair of old birds and their 

 young ; at other times it goes alone or with its mate. Its spring song 

 is a cooing note, very soft and agreeable, and somewhat plaintive 

 in sound. The nest is made at no great height, a large bush or 

 a hedge being as often selected for a site as a tree. It is a slight 

 structure of slender sticks and twigs laid crosswise, and the two 

 eggs are creamy-white. Two broods are reared in the season. 



In September the turtle-doves take their departure to their 

 winter haunts in Africa. 



