BIRDS. 151 



Smew. This smallest of the Saw-bills is a very irregular 



M. albellus. visitor to Shropshire. Most specimens 



Nov. Feb. obtained here are young birds, but 



Mr. Rocke had an adult pair killed 



near Shrewsbury, and a . male at Clungunford. A 



specimen in the collection at Hawkstone was killed in 



the park. An adult female was shot at Melverley, 



January 22nd, 1892, and three females were noticed by 



Mr. Henry Gray, on the Onny, at Bromfield, in January 



and February, 1891. Mr. Brownlow Tower saw a male 



and two females on Ellesmere mere a few winters ago. 



WOOD PIGEON B. Local name, Quice or Quist ; also 

 Columba palumbus. called Ring Dove, from the band of 

 white feathers on the neck. Exceeding- 

 ly numerous in all our woods, and has increased during 

 the last few years. It is very destructive to grain, peas, 

 and seeds. During the severe weather of January- 

 February, 1895, the Wood -pigeons were driven by 

 hunger to resort to gardens, and were to be seen de- 

 vouring cabbages and sprouts with avidity close to the 

 windows of houses. Its pleasant "cooing" voice is 

 familiar to all. (Illustration page 160, fig. 3). 



STOCK DOVE B. Very common, though not so numer- 



C. anas. ous as the last. In flight this bird 



is distinguished from the Wood-pigeon 



by the general slate-blue colour, and the absence of the 



white collar. Its breeding habits, too, differ ; for it 



makes no nest, but lays two white eggs in a hole in a 



tree or cliff, or in the old nest of a squirrel, owl, or 



other bird. Its note is shorter and more like ' grunting ' 



than * cooing.' (Illustration page 160, fig. 4). 



