166 OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS. 



flocks about the end of November, and departing in 

 February. With us, however, they certainly remain 

 the whole year, as I have noticed them at all seasons 

 and repeatedly found their nests. They are by no 

 means uncommon in the plantations at Bottisham 

 Hall, though less plentiful than the ring-dove. Their 

 habits are very similar to those of this last species, 

 with which they frequently associate in hard wea- 

 ther. Like them, they breed very early in the 

 spring. The nest, which is flat and shallow, consists 

 merely of a few sticks put loosely together in the 

 hollow of some old tree. The eggs are two in num- 

 ber, white like those of the ring-dove, but somewhat 

 smaller and rather more rounded. The stock-dove 

 does not coo like the ring-dove, but utters only a 

 hollow rumbling note during the breeding-season, 

 which may be heard to a considerable distance. Both 

 species are indiscriminately called wood-pigeons by 

 the country-people. 



March 21st, 1822. A stock-dove was shot at Bot- 

 tisham this evening as it was returning from feed. 

 On handling it, a distinct rattling noise was heard in 

 the crop ; from which, when opened, we took out nearly 

 a teacup-full of field-pease, above fourscore in num- 

 ber. They were unchanged in any way, excepting 

 that some appeared to have sprouted since they had 

 been swallowed.* After they were taken out, they 



* A similar fact is recorded with respect to acorns taken from 

 the crop of a wood-pigeon ; many of which, in the instance men- 

 tioned, are said to have " been so forced by the warmth and mois- 



