THE,STOCK DOVE 
darker subterminal band ; the neck is grey, with a metallic 
sheen of green and purple ; the breast is vinous, shading 
into the delicate grey of the rest of the under parts. Bill 
red at the base, yellow towards the tip; tarsi and toes 
pinkish red; irides red. Length 13 to 14 inches. The 
young in first plumage closely resemble the adults, but 
lack the metallic sheen on the neck, the black spots on 
the wings are only faintly indicated, and the vinous tints 
on the breast are not so prominent. 
THE PIGEON COLONIES OF LONDON 
Brief allusion must here be made to the many colonies 
of semi-tame Pigeons that are such a very prominent 
feature in the bird-life of the Metropolis. Some of the 
most interesting of these may be seen at the Guildhall, 
the Houses of Parliament, the British Museum, and the 
various great railway termini; whilst there are in- 
numerable smaller colonies all over London. From a 
scientific or merely a popular ornithological point of view 
these colonies of Pigeons do not possess any great interest ; 
but the fact that the tame Pigeon is a descendant 
of the Rock Dove should be borne in mind. That 
the tame Pigeon and the Ring Dove interbreed is un- 
questionable; and I have on several occasions seen 
undoubted hybrids between the two. 
