THE RING DOVE 



the rural and outlying suburbs, but in some of the western 

 districts seems more abundant in winter than in summer. 

 Although not so common as Sparrows and Starlings, 

 the Ring Dove has now become one of the most familiar 

 of London's birds, and in at least several cases has 

 interbred with the ordinary dove-cote Pigeons of the 

 Metropolis. There is scarcely a park, a square, or a 

 public garden in London where this bird may not be 

 seen, either clumsily waddling about the grass or sitting, 

 all unmindful of the din of the traffic, in the plane and 

 other trees that relieve the dreary monotony of the 

 streets. As a dweller in the country I knew the Ring 

 Dove as one of the shyest and wariest of birds ; in London 

 I was simply amazed to see it so tame and confiding, 

 walking about the parks, picking up bread scattered by 

 passers-by, and almost remaining to be kicked out of the 

 way. Although at all times socially inclined, the Ring 

 Dove, even in London, does not yet breed in colonies, and 

 in autumn it congregates into flocks. Its flight is direct 

 and powerful, and in the air it may readily be recognised 

 by the white neck-patches, which are very conspicuous. 

 Its note is a full, rounded coo, variously modulated, 

 especially during the love season, which may be said to 

 begin in March. Its food consists of all kinds of grain, 

 beans, peas, fruits, and berries, acorns, beech-mast, and 

 tender shoots of clover. In London it will eat almost 

 anything of a vegetable nature. The Ring Dove pairs 

 for life, and commences nesting duties as early as March, 

 continuing to rear brood after brood until the autumn. 

 In the London area the nest is usually made in a^tree or 

 tall bush, and is a slight, flat platform of interlaced twigs. 

 The two eggs are white. I have often remarked that in 

 autumn a very considerable reduction in its numbers in 

 London takes place, and continues through the winter, 

 the birds apparently retiring to the country districts, as so 

 many Sparrows do in autumn. 



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