THE ROCK BOVE^ 107 



111 the matter of food the Rock Dove is almost a vege- 

 tarian, its diet consisting mostly of peas, oats, barley, 

 \vheat> and various other grains and seeds. It, however, 

 exhibits a marked j^artiality for the most_ valuable crops, 

 and the depredation committed in some localities by these 

 birds is very serious, as they feed rapidly and continuously, 

 and travel considerable distances in search of their favourite 

 food. As may be imagined, the farmers and market- 

 gardeners patronised by them regard them with great 

 animosity, and destroy them whenever and wherever an 

 opportunity offers. Some idea of the amount of grain con- 

 sumed by them may be formed from the fact that t\yo 

 specimens examined by Mr. Macgillivray contained, the 

 one over a thousand grains, and the other, five hundred 

 and ten. 



The flight is strong and rapid, and a loud cracking 

 noise is produced by the wings. When on the ground 

 they walk with an easy movement, nodding the head to 

 and fro as they proceed. They feed in flocks varying in 

 number, and when alarmed the whole party rises simultane- 

 ously with the loud flapping noise already spoken of. In 

 leaving their homes for a foraging expedition, and in re- 

 turning at evening, the flight is straightforward, and just 

 high enough to clear any intervening obstacles. 



In the winter and spring these birds assemble in pro- 

 digious flocks, and are then bolder and more easy of ap- 

 proach than during the summer. They roost in the holes 

 and eaves of rocks, and occasionally in old buildings or 

 towers. Like other birds of the pigeon family, the Rock 

 Dove is fond of water, and takes great delight in bathing, 

 also in dusting itself. The note is a " Coo-roo-coo," the 

 last syllable being prolonged. The nests are commonly 



