BRITISH WILD PIGEONS 251 



and it is from the darker foliaged trees in such 

 situations that its subdued cooing may first be 

 heard. If the birds be approached without alarming 

 them, the interesting evolutions in which they at this 

 time indulge may be observed. The female dove 

 sits passively upon a bough of pine or fir while the 

 male describes a series of circles round her. At first 

 he coos softly; but after a preparatory pouting to his 

 mate he puffs out his throat feathers and indulges 

 in what is very much like a hearty laugh. This 

 continues while the wicker-like nest is building, 

 and even after the two pinky-white eggs are laid. 

 Incubation lasts rather over a fortnight, and it is 

 rare in this country that the turtle-dove rears more 

 than one brood. It is by far the most delicate of the 

 pigeons, and is peculiarly susceptible to cold. It 

 comes when spring is well advanced, and at the first 

 suggestion of autumn cold it flocks and leaves our 

 shores. Family parties may be seen by the middle 

 of September, and by the end of that month few 

 remain. 



Although the turtle-dove eats grain it devours 

 enormous quantities of the seeds of weeds, and also 

 those of many undesirable grasses. It is partial 

 to vetches, rape, charlock, wild mustard, and especi- 

 ally haunts the pulse-fields. It is often seen busily 

 employed upon the fallows, and, like the rest of the 

 wild pigeons, frequents fields containing root-crops, 



