150 An Ornithological Visit to Warwickshire. [Sess. 



to a late or second nest, I am unable to say. It does not 

 strike one as being a timorous bird, as it permits a very near 

 approach, and at intervals utters a curious short note, easily 

 enough recognised, but difficult to describe on paper. For 

 further and fuller information regarding it, I cannot do better 

 than refer members to Mr Herbert's interesting note in the 

 Society's 'Transactions' (vol. i. p. 184). 



The stock-dove is another bird very numerous in Warwick- 

 shire, but scarce in Scotland — so much so, that one may 

 almost be excused for supposing that the writer of the beau- 

 tiful song, " Afton Water," wherein occurs the line, " Thou 

 stock-dove whose echo resounds through the glen," must have 

 mistaken the common ring-dove for this species. In general 

 habits it resembles the wood-pigeon or " cushie," but is not so 

 large, and wants the distinctive white patch on the sides of 

 the neck. Besides, the cooing-note is not so clear or loud, 

 and in various minor points it differs considerably from the 

 other. At Snitterfield, the favourite breeding-haunt was a 

 large clump of ivy-grown trees, whose great height was a 

 perfect safeguard against intrusion, and towards nightfall the 

 numbers of birds that flew in there from all directions were 

 astonishing. When startled they set off at great speed, snap- 

 ping their wings together with a sharp concussion, similar to 

 the tame pigeons known among fanciers as " smiters " ; and, 

 like most of the Golumhidce, the species is timid, and leaves 

 its resting-place on very slight occasion. Although found in 

 various parts of the county, the smaller turtle-dove does not 

 appear to inhabit tlie immediate neighbourhood around Strat- 

 ford, and I was unable to learn from any one in the Snitter- 

 field direction if it was ever identified there. While on the 

 subject of doves, I trust you will pardon me for once more 

 referring to Willughby's work. Under the heading, " Divers 

 sorts of tame pigeons," the author takes occasion to indicate a 

 large number of diseases which may be cured, or at least alle- 

 viated, by the use of the flesh and blood of doves. Take one 

 quotation as a sample : " A live pigeon cut asunder along the 

 backbone, and clapt hot upon tlie head, mitigates fierce humours, 

 and discusses melancholy sadness ; hence it is a most proper 

 medicine in the phreuzie, headache, melancholy, and gout — 

 some add, also in the apoplexy." It is, however, a moot-point 



