STOCK DOVE ROCK DOVE. 95 



Food. Various green stuffs, like turnip-tops, acorns, beech - 

 mast, grain, peas, clover, berries, &c. 



Nest. March onwards. An irregular breeder, and has several 

 broods in the year. 



Site. Among the smaller branches of some tree or hedge, in 

 1 tree-fork, &c. 



Materials. Twigs and small sticks laid crosswise, like a 

 platform. 



Eggs. Two. Pure white and glossy. 



STOCK DOVE (Columba cenas). 



Resident ; less common than the last, being found more 

 especially in the midland, southern, and eastern counties. 

 Much rarer in Scotland and Ireland. 



Haunts. Well-wooded districts. 



Plumage. Generally much like the last, but about one-third 

 smaller ; rather bluer in colouring, and has no white patch on 

 the neck or bars on the wings. Under wing-coverts grey. Bill 

 yellow, red at the base. Legs and feet red. Length 13 J in. 

 Female, rather smaller and duller. Young, much like female. 



Language. A low simple cooing ; has been described as a 

 " grunting." 



Habits Very like the last ; but, if anything, the flight is 

 lighter and more rapid. 



Food. Like the last. 



Nest. March onwards. Several broods. 



Site. Never in trees like the last; in rabbit-burrows, among 

 gnarled tree-roots, under thick bush, in caves, &c. 



Materials. If any, twigs and sticks. 



Eggs. Two. Pale creamy white. 



ROCK DOVE (Columba livia). 



Resident. Its natural home is the sea-cliffs, and is es- 

 pecially common in Scotland, Ireland, and the islands adjoin- 

 ing ; found also in suitable districts on many parts of the 

 English coast. This species is the wild form of the domes- 

 ticated Pigeon. 



Plumage. Generally much like the two last-named, but 

 easily distinguished from them by the two black transverse 

 bars on the wings and white rump, the latter very conspicuous 

 in flight. Bill black. Legs and feet red. Length 12 in. 

 Female, slightly smaller and duller. Young, still duller. 



Language. Identical with the " coo " of the tame Pigeon. 



Habits. Much like the others, but never alights on trees. 



