RING-DOVE. 183 



the hatching of the young, it almost invariably flies 

 first to the level of the ground on leaving the nest, 

 thence curving upwards again when some distance has 

 been attained ; this is probably a primitive attempt at 

 feigning lameness, which H. W. F., in the Field of 

 July 5th, 1873, says he has observed as a trait of this 

 species. 



STOCK-DOVE. 



CoLUMBA (ENAS, Linuseus. 



Local Names — liock-Dove, Hill-Pigeoit, Sand-Rock. 



In his paper in the Ibis of 1865, Mr. A. G. More 

 writes that he is informed by Mr. J. F. Brockholes that 

 the Stock-Dove breeds regularly in South Lancashire 

 in fir-trees and iv}'. With this exception, and perhaps 

 also the higher part of the Wyre valley, up to 1877, it 

 was only known on the coast, at least as a breeding 

 species, but about that year a remarkable extension of 

 its range took place. It then appeared on the banks of 

 the Eibble at Balderstone, in various places on the 

 Hodder, at Hapton Scouts, and on Pendle Hill, and has 

 since been seen every year in these or neighbouring 

 localities, and, where undisturbed, in steadily increasing 

 numbers. Mr. J. J. Hornby took a nest in 1878 in 

 Lower Wyresdale, Mr. John Weld says that a pair have 

 bred for some years on the Greystonley brook in Bow- 

 land, and at Billinge, near Blackburn, Mr. E. J. Howard 

 writes me that it now nests every year. From Walney, 

 and the sand-hills on the neighbouring mainland, along 

 the whole range of coast to near Liverpool, though 

 nowhere common, it has always been well known, breed- 

 ing in the rabbit-holes so numerous there. Inland also 



