20 THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL 



distinct, intermediate forms occurring in India, where the geographical area of 

 each impinges. T.ferrago is not known, however, to cross with the Turtle Dove 

 in Turkestan, where the range of the two species meets. Pale eastern examples 

 of the common Turtle Dove have been described as Turtur arenicola. 



Habits. The Turtle Dove is a summer migrant. The usual date of its 

 appearance is the first week in May, a period which marks its entry into Europe 

 at Gibraltar in greatest abundance; but individuals are occasionally seen during 

 the latter part of April. Its return journey is taken in September, although odd 

 birds are met with from time to time at much later dates. The haunts of this species 

 are woods and plantations, as well as parks and fields which are well timbered, 

 or in the vicinity of trees. It is a shy and retiring bird, far more often heard 

 than seen ; although when I was in Algeria, on the borders of the Great Desert, 

 in the oasis of Biskra, I found it a most tame and confiding species. Here they 

 frequented the tops of the date palms, hiding amongst the foliage, where they 

 roosted at night. I also observed that they were very regular in visiting the Oued 

 to drink, going in the early morning to quench their thirst and to bathe. Whilst 

 perched in a tree the Turtle Dove will often allow a near approach , but it keeps 

 so quiet that it is almost impossible to detect its whereabouts until it dashes out 

 with almost a whirr, and in erratic flight dodges between the branches and trunks, 

 and soon conceals itself again amongst the foliage. As may readily be inferred, 

 a bird of such extended migrations is a good flyer, and passes rapidly through the 

 air. It is often seen on the ground, in the open fields, where it goes to feed ; and 

 here it runs to and fro with Pigeon-like gait, yet always alert and ready to dash 

 off to the trees the moment danger threatens. The arrival of this bird in our 

 English woods is soon persistently proclaimed by its note. This is a gentle, soft, 

 and rich coo-r-r-coo-r-r-r, each coo more or less gutturally prolonged, as if the bird 

 laboured under quite an effort to produce it. The male bird, as usual, calls the 

 most, and is particularly noisy during the season of courtship. This note is 

 maintained all through the summer, but begins to wane in August, and by the 

 time of the bird's departure for the south is practically suspended. The food of 

 the Turtle Dove is composed of grain of all kinds, the seeds of a great variety of 

 weeds, tender shoots of herbage, fruit, and even snails and insects. In autumn 

 it becomes more or less gregarious again, and in flocks frequents the stubbles, 

 clover-fields, and turnips. It frequently goes long distances to feed on favourite 

 pastures, and is much attached to its roosting-place. 



Nidification. I am of opinion that the Turtle Dove pairs for life; and 

 even in Algeria, before the northern flight was taken, I saw them sitting in pairs 

 on the palm-tops. Soon after its arrival in England the nesting season begins, 

 and the first eggs are generally laid late in May, in more backward seasons the 

 first week in June. The nest is as a rule made much nearer the ground than that 



