246 WOODLANDERS AND FIELD FOLK 



lowlands, and go up the sides of those valleys which 

 are planted with fir woods and coppice. For resinous 

 woods they seem to have a special liking, and soon 

 from out the pines may be heard the coo-coo-cdo 

 as one of the pairing notes. At this time the birds 

 feed almost exclusively upon green food, devouring 

 tender shoots and leaves in enormous quantities. 

 They like green or sprouting corn, and the leaves of 

 various varieties of field-clover; numbers of birds 

 have been shot in early summer with their crops 

 distended with gooseberries. 



The ring-dove has two or three broods during the 

 season, and nesting operations commence early. 

 In open seasons the nest is often completed by the 

 end of March. The birds seem to shun the light, 

 and the nest is oftenest found in the more gloomy 

 parts of the wood. This is placed low upon a bough 

 or between a bough and the trunk; and so wicker- 

 like is the platform of fir twigs, that through the 

 frail structure the two white eggs may often be seen 

 from beneath. It is a curious fact that not in- 

 frequently the sparrow-hawk and wood-pigeon build 

 within a few yards of each other, and apparently live 

 at peace. Both parents take their share in sitting 

 and incubation lasts from sixteen to eighteen days. 

 Very little time is lost between the first and second 

 broods, and eggs and young are occasionally found in 

 the same nest. 



