STOCK-DOVE. 167 



retained for a considerable time a strong vinous 

 smell. 



May 4th, 1827. A stock-dove's nest was found 

 to-day in a hollow tree in Bottisham Park, and the 

 old bird shot as she flew off. This nest had been 

 constructed in an old pollard elm that was hollow for 

 about twelve or eighteen inches down from the top ; 

 but the top itself was covered over, and the sides also 

 enclosed, so as to aiford the bird no entrance except 

 through one of three or four holes, about the size 

 of itself, opening outwards in different places. The 

 surface of the decayed wood, or floor of this cavity, 

 which somewhat resembled in shape a small oven, 

 was strewed over with earth, bits of stick, a few dead 

 leaves, and other rubbish ; but appeared to have re- 

 ceived very few additional materials brought by the 

 bird, with the view of forming much of a nest pro- 

 perly so called. The eggs were two in number, and 

 had been incubated some days : they weighed four 

 drachms and twelve grains each. 



Sept. %8th, 1827. Both ring-doves and stock-doves 

 are subject to a peculiar kind of disease, that shews 

 itself in fleshy tumours and fungous concretions 

 somewhat resembling warts : these affect more espe- 

 cially the feet, bill, sides of the head, and contour of 

 the eyes. To-day we picked up a young stock-dove 

 in a dying state, which had those parts completely 



ture of the stomach as to have thrown out roots." See The Zoo- 

 logist, p % 649. 



