304 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 
I should be glad to know if anyone has observed the 
same—namely, that although the common Pigeons 
assume nearly every possible variety of plumage, from 
that of the perfect wild Rock Dove, I have never 
noticed amongst them any bird similar in plumage 
to the Stock Dove, nearly as that plumage would 
seem to assimilate with that of the Rock Dove. 
I include this species in the list of Somersetshire 
birds on the authority of my friend the Rev. Murray 
A. Mathew, who told me that a colony of them had 
taken up their abode in the cliffs near Weston-super- 
Mare. I do not know that there is any other record 
of their appearance in this county, even as occasional 
visitants. 
The nest of the Rock Dove, which is said to be a 
loose sort of structure, or heap of stalks or small 
sticks, is usually placed in a hole or crevice in some 
high rock or cliff, or on a lofty ledge, sometimes 
deep in a cavern. 
The food of this bird, like that of the rest of the 
family, consists chiefly of various sorts of grain, and 
also of small seeds, mostly of weeds, and of a great 
number of roots, particularly those of the mis- 
chievous couch-erass (Triticum repens). Yarrell adds 
to this list several species of shell-snails. 
The present species is rather smaller than the 
Stock Dove, and differs from that bird, as has 
been before observed, in several particulars in its 
plumage. “The beak is reddish orange, inclining 
