40 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



and doubtless would establish itself as a breeding species 

 if the greed of the collector could be curbed. 



Haunts. — Pastures, meadows, and well-timbered dis- 

 tricts. 



Plumage. — Crest cinnamon-brown, tipped with black, 

 and fan-shaped when fully erected. Head, shoulders, 

 and under parts cinnamon. Rump white. Wings 

 black, variegated with white bands conspicuous in flight. 

 Tail black, banded with white about the centre. Bill 

 black, flesh-coloured at the base ; long and slightly 

 arched. Legs deep brown. Length 9I in. Female 

 slightly smaller ; crest and bill also smaller. Young, 

 duller. 



Language. — A low " hoop-hoop," or " bu-bu," repeated 

 two or three times. 



Habits. — It runs about very actively, bobbing its 

 crested head. Flight undulating, and not long sustained. 

 Rarely perches, being terrestial in habits. Tame and 

 confiding. Fond of dusting itself. 



Food. — Insects and their larvae, worms, spiders, &c. 



Nest. — May. One brood. 



Site. — In a hole in a tree, especially in willows and 

 ashes, or hole in wall. 



Materials. — ^Twigs, straw, rootlets, and feathers, 

 cemented by an evil-smelling ordure. 



Eggs. — Five to seven. Pale greenish blue at first, 

 but they soon become stained. 



TURTLE DOVE (Turtur communis). 



April to September. Local ; found principally in 

 the southern and western counties, and in Wales ; in 

 Scotland and Ireland rare. 



