BIRDS OF THE WOODS 51 



the male shows off before the female, puffing out his 

 feathers, bowing, and raising his tail in a spasmodic 

 manner. At this time it also indulges in undulating 

 flights, rising and falling through the air very gracefully. 

 In autumn and winter gregarious. A most voracious 

 feeder. Like all Doves, the callow young are fed on a 

 curdy secretion (Pigeon's milk) brought up from the 

 parent's crop ; at a later stage on regurgitated food. 



Food. Various green stuffs, like turnip-tops, acorns, 

 beech-mast, grain, peas, clover, berries, &c. 



Nest. March onwards. An irregular breeder, and has 

 several broods in the year. 



Site. Among the smaller branches of some tree or 

 hedge, in tree-fork, &c. 



Materials. Twigs and small sticks laid crosswise, like 

 a platform. 



Eggs. Two. Pure white and glossy. 



STOCK DOVE (Columba cenas). 



Less common than the last, being found more especially 

 in the midland, southern, and eastern counties. Much 

 rarer in Scotland and Ireland. 



Haunts. Well-wooded districts. 



Plumage. Generally much like the last, but about 

 one-third smaller ; rather bluer in colouring, and has no 

 white patch on the neck or bars on the wings. Under 

 wing-coverts grey. Bill yellow, red at the base. Legs 

 and feet red. Length 13^ in. Female, rather smaller 

 and duller. Young, much like female. 



Language. A low simple cooing ; has been described 

 as a " grunting." 



Habits. Very like the last ; but, if anything, the flight 

 is lighter and more rapid. 



Food. Like the last. 



Nest. March onwards. Several broods. 



Site. Never in trees like the last, but in hole in tree, 



