STOCK DOVE. 295 



opening made by the rabbits near the ground ; a few pairs 

 occasionally breed in the holes of decayed trees ; but this 

 is of rare occurrence in this district. It generally com- 

 mences breeding by the end of March, or the beginning 

 of April ; the young ones, which are very much esteemed, 

 being ready for the table by the commencement of June." 

 Mr. Salmon also mentions his having known this bird to 

 make its nest high up in a fir tree, like the Ring Dove, 

 last described; it also roosts in trees, which the Rock 

 and Domestic Pigeons never do, and, unless under very 

 particular circumstances, seldom even settle in a tree at all. 

 Mr. Selby says the Stock Dove in its habits resembles the 

 Ring Dove, and is an inhabitant of woods, breeding in 

 the hollows of old and pollard trees. Mr. Jenyns says the 

 Stock Dove inhabits woods with the Ring Dove, but is 

 less plentiful and more local. Not uncommon in some of 

 the midland and eastern counties, where it remains the 

 whole year. Builds in the hollows of pollard trees, and 

 lays two eggs. Does not coo like the Ring Dove, but 

 utters a hollow rumbling note, heard at intervals through- 

 out the spring and summer months. Flocks with the Ring 

 Dove in winter, and supports itself in the same manner. 



Mr. Blyth says the Stock Dove is rather a rare species 

 in the south of England, and has a disagreeable grunting 

 note, very different from the musical coo of the Cushat, 

 and equally unlike that of the Rock or dovecot species. 

 Mr. Jesse, in the edition of his Gleanings, 1838, vol. ii. 

 p. 256, mentions that some pairs of Stock Pigeons, Columba 

 anas, build every year in the holes of the old oak pollards 

 in Richmond Park. The keepers take the young, which 

 they say are excellent eating. The eggs are oval and 

 white, measuring one inch six lines and a half in length, 

 and one inch two lines in breadth. The food of this 

 species is very similar to that of the Ring Dove, namely, 



