GYRATORES. COLUMBAD^E. 



built upon an evergreen overhanging a walk, 

 scarcely a yard above the heads of persons pass- 

 ing ; there was a constant thoroughfare, the bird 

 was hourly looked at, and even spoken to, still it 

 persevered in its charge, and seemed to have con- 

 fidence in being protected.* 



The food of the Ring-dove consists of grain of 

 all kinds, pulse, especially peas, both ripe and 

 green, and young leaves and shoots of clover ; in 

 autumn, acorns and beech-mast form an abundant 

 supply, and when these are exhausted, the bird 

 does not disdain winter-berries, and even the 

 leaves of turnips and other green-crops, and the 

 roots of various grasses and weeds. During the 

 breeding season they unite in pairs, but at other 

 times they associate in large flocks, which, how- 

 ever they wander during the day, resort at night 

 to a common resting-place, by watching at which 

 they are shot with ease, as the straggling parties 

 successively arrive for the night's repose. Their 

 flesh is in high esteem for its tenderness, juiciness, 

 and flavour. 



The nest, consisting only of a few sticks loosely 

 laid across, is yet admirably calculated for the 

 purpose of concealment. " How often," remarks 

 Mr. Jesse, "have I observed the strong, rapid 

 flight of a Wood-pigeon from a tree, and heard 

 the noise produced by his wings, and .yet have 

 been unable to discover its nest ! This has been 

 owing to the deposits of dead leaves and small 

 branches, which have been accumulated in various 

 parts of the tree, and which have exactly the same 

 appearance as the nest itself." f 



* Nat. Lib. ; ORNITHOLOGY, iii. .61. f Gleanings, 76. 



