30 BIRD GALLERY. 



the middle of May makes use of any convenient hole to deposit its 

 eggs, which are white and from six to ten in number. Its common 

 name is derived from its singular habit of twisting and stretching its 

 neck. 



Norfolk, July. 



Presented by Lord Walsingham, F.R.S. 



No. 80. WOOD-PIGEON. (Columba palumbus.) 



A resident in the British Islands, where it is generally distributed in 

 wooded districts, it is commonly known as the Ring-Dove, Cushat, or 

 Queest. Of recent years its numbers have greatly increased and every 

 park and most of the larger gardens in London are now frequented by 

 this species. In winter immense flights arrive on the east coast from 

 the Continent and augment the horde of these voracious birds, which 

 cause serious loss to agriculturists. The nest, a slightly built platform 

 of twigs, is placed on the branches of almost any kind of tree or bush, 

 and frequently in thick ivy on cliffs and old walls. Two or three broods 

 are reared annually, the first pair of white eggs being generally laid in 

 February or March, and in favourable seasons nests containing eggs or 

 young birds may be found during every month of the year. 



Norfolk, June. 



Presented by Lord Walsingham, F.R.S. 



No. 81. TURTLE-DOVE. (Turtur turtur.) 



A summer visitor to the British Islands, generally arriving about 

 the beginning of May and departing in September. Its numbers seem 

 to be yearly increasing and it is now found in many localities in which 

 it was formerly scarce or entirely absent. The flat, slightly constructed 

 nest of twigs is placed in a thick bush or on the branch of a tree, usually 

 at no great height from the ground, and the two white eggs are laid 

 towards the end of May. 



Norfolk, July. 



Presented by Lord Walsingham, F.R.S. 



No. 82. ROCK-DOVE. (Columba livia.) 



Common along the rocky coasts in the north of Great Britain and Ire- 

 land where caves and deep fissures exist and afford suitable resorts. The 

 nest is generally placed, as in the present instance, on the ledge of some 







