114 BIRDS OF MARLBOROUGH. 



about August 10th. Three pairs at least return to the same 

 nests in the Old House, at the College, Marlborough, year 

 by year. 



Caprimulgus europaeus. Night-jar. 

 Is to be heard in most oak-plantations between the 

 months of May and August. 



Columba palumbus. Ring Dove. 



Columba cenas. Stock Dove. 



As might have been expected from the nature of the trees, 

 this bird is to be found in great quantities in the Forest, 

 where it appears to be quite as numerous as its congener 

 the Ring Dove. It usually lays in the slight hollows at 

 the tops of trees that have been headed down. It appears 

 to continue laying quite as late in the season as the Ring 

 Dove, and begins earlier ; its eggs have been found as early 

 as March 31st and as late as August 12th. A hole in which 

 Jackdaws have been hatched in May is sure to be occupied 

 by a Stock Dove in June. In the winter the Stock Doves 

 congregate with the Ring Doves. 



Columba turtur. Turtle Dove. 



This bird visits Marlborough in small numbers during 

 the spring and summer months. It has been seen in the 

 Forest, in Polton Copse, and at Ramsbury. 



Phasianus colchicus. Pheasant. 

 Perdix cinerea. Partridge. 



Coturnix vnlgaris. Common Quail. 

 This bird is occasionally shot in the stubble-fields in Sep- 

 tember or October. I have not, however, heard of an au- 

 thenticated instance of the nest being found. 



