506 THE PIGEONS 



and Ussher and Warren, B. of Ireland, 1900, p. 226). The immigration of the 

 English summer visitant birds begins at the end of April or the beginning of May, 

 continuing throughout the greater part of the latter month (cf. Ticehurst, B. of 

 Kent, 1909, p. 380). In some seasons the immigration is noted as occurring almost 

 solely on the shores of the south-eastern counties, in others along the whole south 

 coast, " but first and chiefly on its eastern half " (cf. B. 0. C. Migration Reports). 

 The spring immigration into Ireland takes place on the coasts of Wexford and other 

 south-eastern counties, and from these the movement spreads through the southern 

 portion of Ireland, even to its south-western extremity ; the subsequent emigra- 

 tion through the more northerly parts has not been studied in detail (cf. Ussher 

 and Warren, loc. cit. ; and Ussher, Irish Naturalist, 1909, p. 184). Some departures 

 take place from Great Britain as early as August (cf. Ticehurst, loc. cit.), but 

 September is the chief month of emigration. A small proportion linger still later, 

 but such records of late birds as those at Lerwick, 4th December 1905 (cf. Paterson, 

 Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1906, p. 199), and Penrith, 21st December 1894 (cf. 

 Saunders, loc. cit.), must be regarded as purely exceptional. The turtle-dove is 

 usually reported, as a migrant, as observed in pairs or small companies. [A. L. T.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. The usual site for the nest of this species is among 

 the branches of a tree or in a straggling hedgerow, sometimes only a foot or two 

 from the ground, and at other times 10 or 15 feet above it, but generally 

 rather low down. Exceptionally it has been known to breed in squirrels' dreys 

 (Zoologist, 1892, p. 310) and old nests of the rook (H. S. Davenport in Saunders' 

 Manual, 2nd ed., p. 486). The nest is a very flimsy construction in most cases, 

 and generally the outline of the eggs is plainly visible through the nest from below. 

 (PI. xxx vm.) It is built of a few fine twigs carelessly laid together, the materials 

 being brought by both birds, but the actual building by the hen (Naumann). In 

 some cases buttercup flower-stalks have been found as lining (Zoologist, 1907, 

 p. 326). The eggs are two in number, white, with a very slight tinge of cream, 

 rather elongated in shape, and somewhat pointed at one end. Average size of 26 

 eggs, T18 x -88 in. [30'1 x 22'4 mm.]. Incubation lasts for 13-14 days according to 

 Mr. J. L. Bonhote, who has bred this species in captivity, and the duty is shared 

 by both parents. The usual breeding season in England begins during the last 

 week or two of May and early in June, while it is probable that a second brood is 

 frequently reared, as fresh eggs may be found at the end of July and the beginning 

 of August. [F. o. R. J.] 



5. Food. Grain, small seeds, berries, small mollusca. [w. p. p.] 



