SaOOTING or SMALL BIRDS. 153 



female lays two eggs, and has only one brood iu tliis comitvy ; but 

 in warmer climates she is supposed to breed several times through- 

 out the year. Turtle-doves are pretty common in Kent, where 

 they are sometunes seen in flocks of twenty to thirty, frequenting 

 the pea-fields, where, it is said, they do great damage. Their stay 

 in this country seldom exceeds four or five months, during which 

 time they pair, build their nests, and rear their young, until they 

 are strong enough to foUoAv them in their retreat. 



A variety of the common turtle has been described by the name of 

 the spotted necked tui'tle-dove. The difference consists in the whole 

 side of the neck being black, and instead of those feathers l^eing 

 tipped with, white, there is a round spot of white on each, very 

 near the end. Dr. Latham says this bird was shot in Buckingham- 

 shire, and that he observed one of these amongst some birds that 

 came from the last expedition to the South Seas ; but as it was in 

 a parcel wherein were some which belonged to the Cape of Good 

 Hope, it is possible that this single bu'd might come from that 

 place. The bastard produce of the common turtle with the turtle 

 of the aviary, has been proved by frequent experiments to be 

 ban-en, although the two species from whence it originates appear 

 to be closely allied, and a mixed breed is easily produced.* 



CHAPTER XYIl. 



SHOOTING OF SMALL BIEDS. 



We confess to feeling some compunctions of conscience in writing 

 this chapter. If we could consult our own sentiments, and make 

 them the standard of other sportsmen's amusements, we should 

 say. Never fire a shot at any of the birds herein mentioned. As 

 lovers of nature, and of aU that animates the hedgerows and the 

 fields with their presence and their song, we have a strong disl-ke 

 to be the instrument of destruction to what have aU our lives been 

 objects of interest and pleasure. We know this is not in strict 

 accordance with the sporting code, and if our principle were legiti- 

 mately carried out, it might put, perhaps, an end to all shooting. 

 -We see the logical dilemma, and feel its force ; but still we cannot 

 altogether conquer our internal emotions, and so continue to do 

 what men in almost aU departments of life continue in some 

 measure to do, from the antagonistic elements of human nature — 

 to feel one thing, and do the contrary. 



The Eedicmg {Turchs Iliaciis, Linn.)— This bird is nearly about 

 five ounces in weight, and is about eight inches in length. 



• History of the Pigeons de Voliere. Paris. « 



