256 COLUMBID/E. 



commencement of June." Mr. Salmon also mentions his 

 having known this bird to make its nest high up in a fir tree, 

 like the Ring Dove, last described ; they also roost in trees, 

 which the Rock and Domestic Pigeons never do, and unless 

 under very particular circumstances very seldom even settle 

 in a tree at all. Mr. Selby says the Stock Dove in its habits 

 resembles the Ring Dove, and is an inhabitant of woods, 

 breeding in the hollows of old and pollard trees. Mr, Je- 

 nyns says the Stock Dove inhabits woods with the Ring 

 Dove, but is less plentiful and more local. Not uncommon 

 in some of the midland and eastern counties, where it remains 

 the whole year. Builds in the hollows of pollard trees, 

 and lays two eggs. Does not coo like the Ring Dove, but 

 utters a holloAv rumbling note, heard at intervals throughout 

 the spring and summer months. Flocks with the Ring Dove 

 in winter, and supports itself in the same manner. 



Mr. Blyth says the Stock Dove is rather a rare species in 

 the south of England, and has a disagreeable grunting note, 

 very different from the musical coo of the Cushat, and equal- 

 ly unlike that of the Rock or dovecot species. Mr. Jesse, in 

 the last edition of his Gleanings, 1838, vol. ii. p. 256, men- 

 tions that some pairs of Stock-pigeons, Columha cenas, build 

 every year in the holes of the old oak pollards in Richmond 

 Park. The keepers take the young, which they say are ex- 

 cellent eating. The eggs are oval and white, measuring one 

 inch six lines and a half in length, and one inch two lines in 

 breadth. The food of this species is very similar to that of 

 the Ring Dove, — namely, young green leaves, peas, grain, 

 seeds, berries, turnip leaves, beech nuts, acorns, &c. accord- 

 ing to the season of the year. 



The young of the Stock Dove are frequently sent to the 

 London market, and sold to the poulterers, and I have this 

 day, January 4, 1840, bought two old birds which have also 

 been sent up to market for sale ; these came packed with 

 some Ring Doves, and appear to have been shot with them. 



