172 RING-DOVE. 



worth the trouble, for at this time they are very good eating, and 

 the farmer may thus slightly repay himself for the damage they do. 



The sudden flight of a single Wood-Pigeon from a tree is very 

 startling, and the noise of a whole flock is really very great. 



Their risincf all at once was like the sound 

 Of thunder heard remote. 



There is a marked distinction in the nesting habits of the 

 three British species of true Pigeons : the Wood-Pigeon builds on 

 the horizontal branches of trees, often at some distance from the 

 trunk ; the Stock-Dove builds in the hollow trunks of trees ; and 

 the Rock-Dove in rocks. The nest of the Wood-Pigeon is a mere 

 platform of twigs and sticks, and the pure white eggs may often 

 be seen through it. Shy as the bird generally is, it frequently 

 builds in the pleasure-grounds attached to houses, where the nest 

 can scarcely fail to be discovered. 



Parta meae Veneri sunt mnnera : namque notavi 

 Ipse locum aeriae quo congressere palumbes. 



Virgil— i^cZ., 3, 68-9. 



which is thus imitated by Shenstone, who adds an odd little 

 sentimental touch very characteristic of him — 



I have sought out a gift for my fair ; 



I have found where the Wood-Pigeons breed; 

 But— let me the plunder forbear ; 



She'll say 'tis a barbarous deed. 



The food of the Wood-Pigeon consists of farm produce, green 

 crops, such as clover, rape, cabbage, and turnip-tops. They will also 

 take the turnips and hollow them out, whenever a rabbit, a hare, 

 a Partridge, or a Rook, has made a hole in the tough outer skin. 

 They eat wheat and barley in great quantities, and peas, beans, and 

 tares. They feed three times a day, and have capacious crops, so 

 that when they are very numerous, they do a considerable amount 

 of damage. On the other hand, they are very fond of the ends 

 of such weeds as charlock, dock, corn-spurrey, &c., which they 

 consume in great quantities ; and they are also very fond of beech- 

 mast, and when pressed for food will eat acorns, hips, haws, and 

 the berries of ivy or holly. The quantity of corn sometimes 



