132 BIRDS OF MIDDLESEX. 



disturbed a Nightjar, and on such occasions, when 

 flying away startled, its flight so much resembles that 

 of a Hawk that I have twice seen a keeper shoot 

 one, exclaiming, " There goes a Hawk ! " 



Some keepers kill this bird systematically, and 

 will not be persuaded that it is perfectly harmless 

 and really useful. One man actually took a pride in 

 showing me six of these beautiful birds hanging 

 upon an oak, in company with some Sparrowhawks, 

 Jays, Magpies, and Stoats. It was useless for me 

 to point to the bill and assert that it was not formed 

 for tearing flesh like that of a Hawk. The answer 

 received was, "You may depend upon it, Sir, they're 

 reg'lar varmint, like all the rest of 'em, and I always 

 kills 'em whenever I gets a sight on 'em." 



ORDER RASOEES Family COLUMBIDJE. 



RING DOVE, Columba palumbus. A few pairs 

 breed with us every year, but this species is most 

 numerous in the winter and early spring, when large 

 flocks pass over and occasionally drop down upon 

 the cleared bean-fields and stubbles. " The Ring 

 Dove, by not feeding on insects, renders no service 

 to man while visiting his fields. On the contrary, it 

 is known to injure him considerably in his crop of 

 rising clover. As soon as this plant begins, under 



