BIRDS OF THE WOODS 41 



Observation. — Our smallest Dove. Much browner 

 than other Doves, with longer tail tipped with white. 



Haunts. — Woods, plantations, &c. 



Plumage. — Head and nape ash-colour, tinged with 

 vinous ; a patch of black feathers tipped with white on 

 either side of the neck. Neck and breast vinous red. 

 Back ash-brown. Scapulars and wings rusty red with 

 dark centres. Primaries dusky. Secondaries bluish 

 ash ; under parts white. Tail tipped with white, con- 

 spicuous in flight. Bill brown. Legs and feet red. 

 Length ii|in. Female rather smaller and browner. 

 Young, no white on neck and brownish above. 



Language. — A soft plaintive sound like " tur-turre.'' 



Habits. — Much like the other Doves. 



Food. — Much like the other Doves. 



Nest. — May. Two broods. 



Site. — In hawthorn or small tree, &c., never very 

 high up. 



Materials. — Slender twigs and small sticks, laid cross- 

 wise. 



Eggs. — Two. White suffused with creamy. Much, 

 like Stock Dove's, but smaller. 



HONEY BUZZARD (Pernis apivorus). 



May to November. Nowadays very rare, and will 

 continue so as long as British collectors give fabulous 

 prices for their skins or eggs. 



Plumage. — Head ash-grey ; upper parts brown. Tail 

 greyish brown, with three dark bands ; under parts 

 white, barred and spotted with reddish brown. Feathers 

 of lores close and scale-like. Beak rather feeble, and 



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