THE PIGEONS 87 



Of late years this bird has become very common in London parks, 

 where it shows not the slightest fear of man, though in the country 

 it is a very shy and wary bird. 



The Stock-dove (Plate XVII. fig. 2) is a bird often confused 

 with the species next to be described — the Rock-dove ; but it may 

 always be distinguished therefrom by the absence of the patch of 

 white above the tail. 



It has somewhat increased in numbers of late years, and shows 

 a marked preference for districts where timber abounds. 



Rabbit-burrows, holes in trees and cliffs, and matted ivy are the 

 places chosen as nesting-sites. 



Perhaps the most interesting of our Pigeons is the Rock-dove 

 (Plate XVII. fig. 5), since it is probably the ancestor of all our 

 domesticated races. Readily distinguished by the double black 

 bar across the wings and the white patch on the lower part of the 

 back, this bird is to be found only in a truly wild state in places 

 where caves or deep fissures exist. Comparatively rare in England, 

 it is a common bird in Scotland, from St. Abbe's Head northward ; 

 while in the Shetlands and Orkneys it is still more common, and 

 the same is true of this bird in Ireland, where it is met with in 

 abundance along the west coast, finding most suitable breeding- 

 places in the rugged cliffs facing the Atlantic. 



Though partial to grain, this bird amply atones for depredations 

 on corn, since it feeds largely on the roots of the couch-grass and the 

 seeds of various troublesome weeds. In drinking, as with many 

 other pigeons, it will occasionally, like Gulls, quench its thirst while 

 floating down-stream ! 



The Pouter-pigeon (Plate XVII. fig. 6) represents one of the 

 most peculiar of all the products of the breeder. By long and careful 

 selection this bird has acquired an enormous crop, and this is inflated 

 whenever the bird is excited, as by the presence of a female. The 

 long feathers of the legs have also been developed by the breeders' 

 care in selecting those birds which had the biggest crops and legs 

 most inclined to produce feathers. But the number of races of domesti- 

 cated Pigeons are legion. The most striking of these varieties are 

 perhaps the Pouter, Fantail, Homing, Tumbler, Barb, Owl, and Carrier. 



The Turtle-dove (Plate XVII. fig. 7) is to be met with in Great 



