84 THE BIRDS OF IONA AND MULL. 



them will succeed. In the breeding season the hen will sit on 

 the nest till approached, and never deserts it though often dis- 

 turbed, and her nest and eggs handled. She does not always seek 

 for inaccessible ledges to build her nest on, but takes any spot which 

 offers, sometimes even the very floor of the cave. 1 If her eggs 

 are taken out, she will probably replace them ; and if her young 

 are taken when half-fledged, she seems glad to get them so soon 

 off her hands, and at once prepares for rearing her second brood. 2 

 The young birds instantly become quite tame and reconciled to 

 hand feeding ; indeed, as they grow up, their impertinent bold- 

 ness becomes rather troublesome. They readily take to the 

 dovecot, and pair with the tame Pigeons ; even with fancy 

 breeds, such as Fantails, &c. If a pair of real wild ones breed 

 in confinement, their progeny at once show signs of diverging in 

 colour from the natural uniform of their wild ancestry ; the 

 young birds are of a dark slate-colour in their first plumage, 

 though they have the same markings as the adult birds. The 

 male is recognised from his mate by a slight superiority of size, 

 and more lustrous plumage. 



In a gastronomic point of view these Pigeons are one of the 

 most valuable kind of birds which frequent our coasts ; they are 

 nearly always fat and in good condition, are numerous and always 

 to be procured ; besides, being fed constantly upon our barley and 

 oats, one can feel no compunction in levying a tribute upon them 

 in return. 



1 This is different from most of our experience. ED. 



2 This appears as a new consideration for Members or Directors of the Asso- 

 ciation for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who prosecute for taking young 

 birds for scientific purposes. ED. 



