40 BRITISH BIRDS 



that make them look more like young hedgehogs than 

 birds. Notwithstanding assertions to the contrary, it is 

 certain that a cross between this bird and the domestic 

 Pigeon has never been obtained, for although pairing may 

 occur the eggs are always barren, or at least have been 

 so hitherto. 



Unless kept in an aviary the size of a small field and 

 planted with trees, Columba palumbus will not breed in 

 confinement, and it certainly is not worth the trouble and 

 expense to accommodate them to their liking in order 

 that they may reproduce their species in captivity. 



The food of the wild Cushat is very varied, and consists 

 of seeds of all kinds, from chestnuts and acorns down to 

 the black shining triangular seeds of Polygonum repens 

 and other weeds (of which they consume immense quan- 

 tities) all more or less injurious to the agriculturist. In con- 

 finement they will eat every kind of corn that may be going, 

 as well as lawn clippings, waste cabbage-leaves and turnip- 

 tops, of which last they devour a good deal during the 

 winter, particularly when there is snow upon the ground, 

 and they also at the same time will peck holes in the 

 tops of the turnips themselves, which makes the farmer, 

 forgetful of the good they do in other respects, hate them 

 with bitter hatred, and compass their destruction whenever 

 and wherever he can. 



The Ringdove, however, is prolific, and usually has three 

 broods in the season, that is six young Pigeons added to 

 the columbine population by each pair of breeders in one 

 year. Swift of wing, and vigilant even when feeding on 

 the ground, the Wood Quest can give a good account of 

 all its enemies save man, who thins its ranks, either for 

 the purposes of the table or from sheer spleen arising 

 from the bird's supposed ravages among his crops, more 

 than all the rest of its foes put together. 



The Ringdove when sitting on her eggs will desert 

 them on the smallest provocation, even though they may 

 be on the point of hatching; but once the young ones are 

 out of the shell the parents are very bold in their defence, 

 and will even carry them away (how, is not precisely 

 known) to a place of greater security. 



