304 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 



I should be glad to know if anyone has observed the 

 same namely, that although the common Pigeons 

 assume nearly every possible variety of plumage, from 

 that of the perfect wild Eock Dove, I have never 

 noticed amongst them any bird similar in plumage 

 to the Stock Dove, nearly as that plumage would 

 seem to assimilate with that of the Rock Dove. 



I include this species in the list of Somersetshire 

 birds on the authority of my friend the Kev. Murray 

 A. Mathew, who told me that a colony of them had 

 taken up their abode in the cliffs near Weston-super- 

 Mare. I do not know that there is any other record 

 of their appearance in this county, even as occasional 

 visitants. 



The nest of the Kock Dove, which is said to be a 

 loose sort of structure, or heap of stalks or small 

 sticks, is usually placed in a hole or crevice in some 

 high rock or cliff, or on a lofty ledge, sometimes 

 deep in a cavern. 



The food of this bird, like that of the rest of the 

 family, consists chiefly of various sorts of grain, and 

 also of small seeds, mostly of weeds, and of a great 

 number of roots, particularly those of the mis- 

 chievous couch-grass (Triticum repens). Yarrell adds 

 to this list several species of shell-snails. 



The present species is rather smaller than the 

 Stock Dove, and differs from that bird, as has 

 been before observed, in several particulars in its 

 plumage. "The beak is reddish orange, inclining 



