126 HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS 



In Ireland the Stock Dove is of rare occurrence, 

 but has of late years been observed more frequently. 

 One in the Belfast Museum was shot in Co. Down 

 in 1876, a second was obtained after it had left the 

 nest (Zool., 1877, p. 383). Others have been pro- 

 cured in Antrim {Zool. 1889, p. 309) and Wicklow 

 (Zool, 1893, p. 192). 



Although commonly found nesting in stocks or 

 pollards, this bird occasionally resorts to sea-cliffs, 

 as in Dorsetshire {Field, April 14, 1866) and York- 

 shire {Field, July 7, 1877) ; also in rabbit-burrows, 

 as in Norfolk (Stevenson, vol. i. p. 356) and Wal- 

 ney Island {Zool., 1880, p. 244) ; phenomenally 

 in Magpies' nests {Zool, 1875, p. 4539, 1880, 

 p. 143), and, as I have myself observed, in the 

 wooden spire of a country church {Field, March 

 30, 1867). 



Both the Stock Dove and the Wood Pigeon are 

 very common in Scandinavia in summer, but do not 

 winter there {Field, May 8, 1897). The former may 

 always be known from the latter by its smaller size 

 and sharper flight, as well as by the absence of 

 white collar so conspicuous in the Ring Dove. The 

 difference in size is shown in their respective weights. 

 An old Stock Dove will weis^h from 12i to 14i oz. : 

 a Wood Pigeon from 16 oz. to 24 or 25 oz. 



ROCK DOVE. Columba livia, Temminck. Length, 

 13'5 in. ; wing, SS in. ; tarsus, 1 in. 



Resident, and in many places plentiful, especially 

 along the coast-line of the west of Scotland, in the 



