THE STOCK DOVE 



darker subterminal band ; the neck is grey, with a metallic 

 sheen of green and purple ; the breast is vinous, shading 

 into the delicate grey of the rest of the under parts. Bill 

 red at the base, yellow towards the tip ; tarsi and toes 

 pinkish red; irides red. Length 13 to 14 inches. The 

 young in first plumage closely resemble the adults, but 

 lack the metallic sheen on the neck, the black spots on 

 the wings are only faintly indicated, and the vinous tints 

 on the breast are not so prominent. 



THE PIGEON COLONIES OF LONDON 



Brief allusion must here be made to the many colonies 

 of semi-tame Pigeons that are such a very prominent 

 feature in the bird-life of the Metropolis. Some of the 

 most interesting of these may be seen at the Guildhall, 

 the Houses of Parliament, the British Museum, and the 

 various great railway termini ; whilst there are in- 

 numerable smaller colonies all over London. From a 

 scientific or merely a popular ornithological point of view 

 these colonies of Pigeons do not possess any great interest ; 

 but the fact that the tame Pigeon is a descendant 

 of the Rock Dove should be borne in mind. That 

 the tame Pigeon and the Ring Dove interbreed is un- 

 questionable ; and I have on several occasions seen 

 undoubted hybrids between the two. 



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