47 



of which it lives the greater part of the year, only 

 venturing as far inland as the nearest corn fields 

 or other places where it may find suitable food. 

 As a species it is quite distinct from the Stock Dove. 

 It was called Columba Lima on account of its lighter 

 or more livid blue colour. It is pure white on the 

 lower part of the back, and has two conspicuous 

 black bars across the wings. Its voice, too, and 

 its habits are very different from those of the 

 Stock Dove. It is supposed to be the species from 

 which our domestic Pigeons were derived. It 

 breeds in the Orkneys and Shetland Islands, 

 building its nest in the subterranean caverns of 

 those rocky coasts. They produce two pair of 

 young in the season, each pair generally consisting 

 of a male and female bird. The eggs are white, 

 and of a short oval shape, rather pointed at one 

 end. 



DOVE, STOCK. 



COLUMBA AEJSAS, Lin. 



This species is a native of this country, but is 

 found only in certain localities. It is common in 

 Hertfordshire and some of the midland counties, 

 but does not frequent the northern parts of the 

 island. In its habits it resembles the Eing Dove, 

 and is a constant inhabitant of woods, breeding in 



