276 THE BIRDS OF NQBTHAMPT ON SHIRE 



derived from the curious manner in which this 

 bird twists and writhes its head and neck when 

 handled or irritated. We have more than once 

 caught the bird in its nesting-holes, and found that, 

 after vehement snake-like contortions, ruffling the 

 feathers of head and neck, and some vicious pecks at 

 our fingers, it would feign death, but take the first 

 opportunity of escape. An instance is quoted in 

 Yarrell in which no less than forty-two eggs were 

 taken at various times in one summer, between May 

 29th and July loth, from a nest of this species, and 

 in the following year as many more from the same 

 hole. We have met with the Wryneck during the 

 summer in France, Switzerland, Italy, N. Germany, 

 Spain, Algeria, and European Turkey, in which last- 

 named country we twice met with it in winter. 



115. RING-DOVE or WOOD-PIGEON. 



Columha ■poJumhus. 



To some at least of our readers we feel sure that 

 the first of the above designations, as applied to 

 the well-known subject of this article, will be a 

 surprise, as the term Ring-Dove is very generally 

 applied to the small fawn-coloured Dove with black 

 collar {Turtur risorius), so commonly kept in a 

 domestic state in this country, but not an indigenous 

 British bird : we have, however, ancient authority 

 for so calling the present species. We have a good 

 number of Wood-Pigeons breeding every year with 

 us, about an average number, perhaps, for an English 

 non-coniferous district, but in a good season for 

 beech-mast and acorns we are generally visited by 



