TURTLE DOYE. 173 



shot one in the garden of Jardine Hall, Dumfriesshire, and 

 another was shot in Perthshire, so late as the 20th. of 

 October, in the year 1834. Two also in Aberdeenshire, one 

 near Old Aberdeen, in August, in 1849, and the other in 

 September, 1851, both of them young birds. In Orkney one 

 was shot many years since, by Mr. Strang; another at 

 Deernen, near Kirkwall; and one in Holm, in 1850. 



With us they are migratory, arriving in the spring the 

 latter end of April, and departing the end of August or 

 September. The males arrive before the females, and they 

 appear to pair only for the season. 



They go in small flocks of some twenty in number, 

 frequenting the open fields when feeding, and at other times 

 resorting to woods. On their first arrival they are not shy, 

 and may be easily approached; but when the nest is begun, 

 and afterwards, they become gradually more and more so. 

 They frequent wooded districts, both hilly and flat. They 

 may be kept in confinement, but in that state are quarrelsome 

 with other birds. 



They roost in trees, among the concealment of the leaves. 

 Their flight is airy and light. 



They feed on various, kinds of grain and seeds, and are 

 especially fond of peas, with which fields are sown; as also of 

 the seeds of the fir tree, but all are sought for on the ground 

 where they may have fallen; they also eat small snails, and 

 swallow bits of stone, sand, or mortar. They are fond of 

 drinking and bathing, and on this account frequent the 

 neighbourhood of streams. 



The note resembles the syllables 'tur, tur,' more or less 

 often repeated, and more or less quickly doubtless the origin 

 of the name. 



The nest is carelessly constructed of a few twigs and sticks, 

 and is placed in trees at no great height from the ground 

 some ten or twenty feet but well hidden among the foliage. 

 It is, however, itself so slight, that the eggs may be seen 

 through it. 



The eggs are two in number, and glossy white, of a narrow 

 oval and rather pointed form. They are laid about the middle 

 of May, and are hatched in sixteen or seventeen days. The 

 female sits on the young, if the weather be cold, both night 

 and day. Two and sometimes three broods are produced in 

 the year. The young soon learn to shift for themselves. 



Male; weight, rather more than six ounces; length, a trifle 



