108 



FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



found in companies or colonies, in some cav'ern or similar 

 retreat, where they lijk[e upon amicable terms one with 

 another. Dry sticks and twi^s with bents of hay or stalks 

 are roug-hly laid together, and two egg^s laid thereon ; they 

 are smooth and white. The male is very assiduous to his 

 mate during sitting-.time, and remains close to the nest at 

 night. When first hatched the young birds are covered 

 with a soft yellow down. The liock Dove seldom perches 

 upon trees, but rests at times on sonie eleyated and isolated 

 spot whence a clear survey can be obtained of the immediate 

 neighbourhood. It is genenilly considered that these birds 

 pair for life; at any rate, they are extremely attached to 

 their partners, and their grief and distress when separated 

 is so marked as to have become proverbial. 



If taken when young they soon become tame and 

 familiar, and att;iin a eonsiderable age. 



