70 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



and Sweden; also in different parts of Asia and North 

 Africa. 



The food of the Stock Dove resembles that of the 

 other wild pigeons, and comprises peas, grain, seeds of 

 various descriptions, beech-mast, berries, and small acorns, 

 particularly the first two items. In their search for food 

 the birds frequent cultivated fields, woods, coppices, 

 plantations, &c., and usually roost amongst the higher 

 branches of the beech or fir. In winter they assemble in 

 flocks, sometimes of large size, and associate with Wood 

 Pigeons on the most amicable terms. Indeed, their 

 amiability seems to be one of their principal characteristics, 

 for although they build in some cases quite close to one 

 another, the greatest harmony invariably prevails, and very 

 seldom is a quarrel detected. Another interesting trait in 

 the character of the Stock Dove is the great mutual 

 affection which exists between the male and female, and 

 this is particularly noticeable in birds that are kept in 

 confinement. 



The birds run rather quickly when on the ground, 

 nodding the head with the peculiar action common to all 

 the family; their habits and appearance are very neat, 

 and they are fond of pluming themselves when perched. 

 The flight is strong, sustained, and exceedingly rapid, 

 the rush of the wings being plainly observable when 

 passing within a short distance. When first they take 

 flight a loud clapping noise is made by the violent striking 

 together of the wings, and when a large flock is suddenly 

 put into motion the sound produced is really of an aston- 

 ishing kind; indeed, without actually experiencing an 

 instance of this it would be difficult to form a just opinion 

 of the extent of the disturbance. 



