COLUMBIA. 217 



Family CAPRIMULGID.E. 



NIGHTJAR or FERN OWL, Caprimulgus Euro- 

 pceus. Partially distributed, being very common 

 during summer in the weald, as well as on open 

 heaths and gorse-covered commons, but of rare 

 occurrence in more cultivated and populous parts 

 of the county. 



Order RASORES. Family COLUMBIA. 



RiNG-DovE, Columba palumbus. Common. 

 Congregates in great flocks during the autumn. 

 Is very partial to acorns and beech-mast. 



STOCK DOVE, Columba anas. I have found 

 small parties of these pigeons in the autumn and 

 winter, among the wooded valleys of the Downs. 

 During summer they are not seen in flocks. They 

 breed in the hollow trunks of some of the old oak 

 trees. I have discovered their nest and eggs in 

 such situations at Cowdray and Petworth. 



TURTLE DOVE, Columba turtur. A summer vi- 

 sitor, arriving in May. Abundant in the oak woods 

 of the weald. Rare in open parts of the county 

 at the same season. On the approach of autumn 

 they frequent fields of rape. After these have been 

 cut or " fed off," their partiality to salt prompts 

 them to haunt the sea-shore. They may then be 

 observed in great numbers on the muddy banks 



