50 OUR RESIDENT BIRDS 



much like the female. The plumage of this species 

 varies considerably. 



Language. A sharp, shrill cry. 



Habits. Fearless and dashing. When seeking its 

 prey it flies quickly along a hedgerow near the ground, 

 dropping down suddenly on some unsuspecting small 

 bird or mammal. It usually feeds on the ground, 

 although it is very arboreal. 



Food. Small birds chiefly ; also young rabbits, mice, 

 and moles. 



Nest. May. One brood. 



Site. At the top of some tall fir, or other tree, in a 

 wood. 



Materials. Sticks and twigs, lined with moss. It 

 often adapts old Crows', Magpies', and Ring Doves' 

 nests. 



Eggs. Four to six. Bluish white, blotched and 

 spotted with reddish brown of various shades. 



RING DOVE OR WOOD PIGEON 



(Columba palumbus). 



Common, and found in all well-wooded districts. 



Plumage. Upper parts bluish grey ; neck emerald- 

 green glossed with violet and green, a white patch (no 

 complete ring) on each side of neck. Wings grey with 

 white bar, conspicuous in flight. Tail dark slaty grey ; 

 under parts reddish purple. Bill orange. Legs and feet 

 bright red. Length 17 in. Female, smaller and slightly 

 duller. Young, at first have no white neck patches, and 

 are duller than adults. 



Language. The well-known plaintive " coo-roo-coo- 

 coo." 



Habits. Flight rapid and direct. When alarmed it 

 dashes off its perch with loud clappings of its wings ; 

 on the ground it walks deliberately. In the love season 



