54 THE BIRDS OF BERKS AND BUCKS. 



ORDER III. RASORES. 

 Family COLUMBID^E. 



RING DOVE (Columba palumbus). Local name, 

 Wood Pigeon, Cushat. A common resident, generally 

 distributed. No doubt everyone is acquainted with 

 this bird under the name of Wood Pigeon ; it is 

 distinguishable from the Stock Dove by its larger 

 size, and conspicuous white collar. 



In winter these Pigeons congregate in immense 

 flocks, and at that time of the year may be seen 

 feeding upon the beech-mast, of which they are parti- 

 cularly fond. Their food varies considerably ; holly- 

 berries, acorns, beech-mast, wortle-berries, clover, ivy- 

 berries, charlock-seed, hips and haws, rowans, turnip- 

 tops, peas, beans, dock-seeds, and various sorts of 

 grain, constitute in turns their 'bill of fare.' 



Mr. Hasell, while out for a walk some few years 

 ago, saw a weasel attack and fasten on a Wood 

 Pigeon, which rose up in the air to an immense 

 height. Both fell down in about a minute, and he 

 saw the weasel run off apparently unhurt, but the bird 

 was quite dead, although warm. 



