268 FEATHERED FRIENDS. 



means uniformity in the disposition and arrangement 

 of the colours, some individuals displaying far more 

 brilliant tints than others, the duller plumaged birds 

 being, probably, young males or females, which last 

 are always a trifle less showy than their mates. 



The seeds of trees, such as the pine, fir, larch, 

 beech, birch and alder, are greedily devoured by the 

 Turtle Dove, which will also pick up those of the red 

 poppy, the milk or sow-thistle and many others, as 

 well as snails and beetles, so that it is of much 

 benefit to the agriculturist and rids him of many 

 a fruitful crop of pernicious weeds, while the damage 

 done to flax, rape, peas andwheat is quite incon- 

 siderable. 



These birds drink regularly about eleven o'clock in 

 the forenoon, and again towards evening, evincing a 

 decided preference for spring water, to obtain which 

 they will often travel a distance of more than a mile. 



Nesting commences directly after their arrival, and 

 it is at least doubtful if the birds are mated when they 

 come over in April, or at latest in May. Under favour- 

 able conditions they have two or three broods during 

 the season, which lasts until August. The nest, a slight 

 affair, is constructed with twigs by both birds on a flat 

 bough covered with dense foliage and at a varying 

 height from the ground. Male and female share the 

 task of incubation and of feeding the young. 



The Turtle Dove will, it is said, live for fourteen or 



