180 BIRDS OF CHESHIRE. 
or in the dense growth of twigs so often found on 
the trunks of old limes. We have met with the Stock 
Dove in both the parks at Dunham Massey, at Great 
Budworth, and Higher Peover. Mr. F. 8S. Graves found 
a nest in a hollow oak on Alderley Edge about the 
year 1894; and Mr. F. Brownsword has taken eggs 
from the limes in the park at Mottram St. Andrew, 
where he says the bird is not uncommon. 
The alleged occurrences of the Rock Dove (Columba 
livia, J. F. Gmelin) in Cheshire are undoubtedly 
erroneous. It must be borne in mind that the name 
‘Rock Dove’ is often applied to Columba cenas, and 
that the Cheshire coast is utterly unsuited to the 
habits of C. livia. There can be no doubt that the 
birds which nested in a rabbit-hole on Middle Hilbre, 
and were recorded as Rock Doves by Mr. H. E. Smith, 
were really Stock Doves as were the birds which 
‘frequented the high portions of the river-bank between 
Eastham Ferry and Hooton,? unless they were feral 
dovecot Pigeons. 
TURTLE DOVE. 
TURTUR COMMUNIS, Selby. 
At the present time, when so many interesting 
species are becoming rarer year by year, it is gratifying 
to find that the Turtle Dove is steadily increasing in 
numbers in Cheshire. Fifty years ago the bird was 
practically unknown in the county; now it is a regular 
summer visitor to Wirral and the Plain, and is even 
plentiful in South Cheshire. 
1H. E. Smith, op. cit. p. 248. 
2 Brockholes, Proc. of the Liverpool Lit. and Phil. Society, vol. xv. 
p. 26. 1860-61. 
