CHAP. FIFTEEN PIGEONS &" DOVES 



pigeons breed here in great numbers, the large fir-woods 

 and ivy-covered banks of the river affording them plenty 

 of shelter. Their greatest enemy in the breeding season is 

 the hooded crow, who is constantly searching for their 

 eggs, and from their white colour, and the simplicity of the 

 nest, he can distinguish them at a great distance off The 

 sparrowhawk, too, frequently carries off the young birds, 

 when nearly ready to fly, taking them out of the nest. It is 

 a curious fact, but one I have very often observed, that 

 this hawk, though I have seen him in the vicinity of the 

 wood-pigeon's nest, and have no doubt that he has known 

 ofthe young birds in it, never carries them off till they have 

 attained to a good size, watching their daily growth till he 

 thinks them fit to be killed. 



In game-preserves wood-pigeons are certainly of some 

 use, both in affording to vermin a more conspicuous and 

 more favourite food than even partridge or pheasant, and 

 in taking the attention of the larger hawks from the game. 

 But he also does good service in giving notice of the ap- 

 proach of any danger, loudly flapping his wings as he flies 

 off" the trees on the first alarm. And at night no bird is so 

 watchful. I have frequently attempted to approach the 

 trees where the wood-pigeons were roosting; but even in 

 the darkest nights these birds would take the alarm, afford- 

 ing in this respect a great contrast to the pheasant. The 

 poor wood-pigeon has no defence against its enemies ex- 

 cepting its watchful and never-sleeping timidity, not being 

 able to do battle against even the smallest of its numerous 

 persecutors. 



Though the turtle-dove never breeds here, and is sup- 

 195 



