240 Wood- Pig eons in the Parks. 



which frequent Palace Yard, St. Paul's Cathedral, 

 the Guildhall Yard, and other open places , and 

 that not only during the actual time of breeding 

 but during the whole of their stay in London, 

 which, we may observe does not extend the year 

 through, as they leave town for the winter. The 

 extraordinary tameness of the birds will be best 

 appreciated by those who have shot "dows," as 

 they are called in the Eastern Counties, and who 

 have, therefore, had experience, of their extreme 

 wariness and timidity in places where, owing to 

 their mischievous and destructive habits, they are 

 subject to constant persecution, and is an instance 

 of the confidence shown by birds living under 

 circumstances which render them free from fear 

 of molestation. 



The increase in the number of wood-pigeons 

 has certainly added a charm to the Parks, as 

 they are beautiful birds, whether seen on the 

 ground or on the wing and, though the London 

 smoke and grime darkens the brightness of their 

 plumage, it cannot destroy it. At this time of the 

 year many young birds are about which may easily 

 be distinguished from their parents by their duller 

 tints and by the absence of the extremely notice- 

 able white ring on the neck from which the bird 

 obtains one of its names the ring-dove. 



