THE TURTLK-DOVK 



islands, it disappears entirely during the winter montliH, which an* 

 -|M-nt in more southern latitudes. In its habits it more nearly recalls 

 the wood-pigeon, si i in it shows a preference for park-lands, woods, 

 and plantations, and hence, likr the wood-pigeon, its numbers during 

 FMtmt years have considerably increased, though, as will have been 

 ;iln ;i|\ ivmarki-d. it is still a ran- bird both in the northern portion** 

 of Great Britain and in Ireland. Somewhat less gregarious than its 

 ron-riM-i-x. it ^alhris. IK. \M-\n. in flocks in autumn, \ounu ami old 

 resorting to the stubbles and root-crops, devouring such grain as may 

 be picked up, and besides, a considerable quantity of the Heeds of 

 JHMMJH It drinks frequently, and seems to show a decided liking for 

 salt water, and hence Stevenson suggests that this is the reason why 

 this bird is HO abundant near the coast Other pigeons are known to 

 prefer brackish water to fresh. The flight is swift and powerful ; often, 

 as is the custom among the pigeons, the wings are brought smartly 

 together over the back, producing a sharp, snapping sound. 



Mr. Edmund Selous has described the court ing-habits of the 

 turtle-dove in some detail. The display made at this time resembles 

 that of other pigeons, but the bowing of the male differs from that of, 

 say, the wood-pigeon in that it takes the form of a series of " quick little 

 bows, or rather bobs," . . . "instead of one or more slower and much more 

 imposing ones." AH the while this " bobbing" is going on he " utters 

 a deep rolling, musical note, which is continuous (or sounds so), and 

 does not cease till he has got back into his more everyday attitude. 

 When thin ceremony is performed on the ground, it would seem that 

 between the bows he makes a "curious dancing step towards the 

 female." But besides this, "these birds," continues Mr. Selous, "have 

 another and charming nuptial disportment." Herein one of a pair 

 sitting in some high tree will every now and then fly out and upwards, 

 make one or two circling sweeps around and above it, and then after 

 remaining poised for some seconds, descends on extended wings in 

 the most graceful fashion, alighting on the same branch beside his 

 waiting partner. 



VOL. II. 3 X. 



