46 



DOVE, RING. 



WOOD PIGEON, CUSHAT, QUEEST. 



COLUMBA PALUMBUS, Lin. 



Tliis is the largest European species, and is found 

 in all parts of Europe. In England it is met with 

 in all wooded and inclosed parts of the kingdom, 

 and is not migratory. It is amongst the earliest 

 breeders of our native birds, generally pairing to- 

 wards the latter part of February. The Wood 

 Pigeon usually produces two or three broods in 

 the course of the year, but never more than two 

 young birds at each hatching. The nest, which is 

 wide and shallow, is formed of small twigs loosely 

 put together, and is placed in an upper fork or 

 among the closer branches of some rather tall tree. 

 The ivy encircling trees, or creeping over the 

 face of rocks, is also not unfrequently selected for 

 its site. The eggs, two in number, are of an oval 

 form and white in colour. 



DOVE, EOCK. 



COLUMBA LITIA, Selby. 



The Eock Dove, as its name implies, inhabits 

 precipitous rocks near the sea shore, in the cavities 



