164 On the Ornithology/ of Wilts [^Columbidce], 



winter in large flocks, which frequent the open stubble fields of our 

 downs, as well as the pasture lands of the vales : and when it retires 

 to the plantations to breed in early spring, its soft musical cooing 

 note coo-coo-roo-o-o-o, is a complacent sound to which all listen 

 with delight. 



"Stock-Dove." {Columba cenas.) Though by no means a rare 

 bird, this species has been much overlooked by ordinary observers, 

 and confounded with its congener, last described. It is however 

 to be met with sparingly in most of our large woods in this county, 

 and may be readily distinguished from the Wood-Pigeon by its 

 smaller size, and by the absence of the distinctive white ring on 

 the neck which has given its name to the Ring-Dove. It derives 

 its specific name cBnas from the vinous hue of the plumage of the 

 neck : and Siock-Do\e from its habit of building on the pollard 

 head or stock of a tree. The habits of both species are alike. 



"Rock-Dove." {Columba livia,) This is the true wild pigeon, 

 the origin of all the numerous varieties which inhabit our dovecots, 

 and have been domesticated amongst us for ages. Its natural 

 dwelling is amongst the caves and crevices of rocks, more particu- 

 larly on the sea coast : but it occasionally comes inland, and used to 

 breed in the rocks near Roundway, whence the late Mr. Withers, 

 the skilful taxidermist of Devizes, frequently received a specimen 

 for preservation. It is of very rapid flight, and feeds like its 

 congeners, in the stubble and corn fields, as well as in the meadows. 

 It derives its specific name livia from the lighter colour which 

 distinguishes it from other species ; and it may also be easily recog- 

 nized by the two distinct black bars which traverse its wings. In 

 the localities which it most afiects, in the clifis which border so many 

 of our coasts, it may be found in large flocks : but in north Africa 

 and Egypt, the prodigous numbers which literally swarm in certain 

 districts, are perfectly astonishing : in proof of which I may add, 

 that in a couple of hours shooting it was easy to bag forty head ; 

 and that on one occasion, when I was requested by the dragoman 

 to procure pigeons for the commissariat, a lucky shot with a green 

 cartridge into a flock feeding on the ground, resulted in picking up 

 twenty birds, which at once filled the basket, to the inexpressible 



