558 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



Stockdove places its nest in holes in trees, in holes in the ground, 

 or on the tops of pollard oaks, willows, and similarly crippled 

 trees. The Rockdove makes its rude nest in the crevices of the 

 rocks which it frequents. But the Ringdove and the Turtledove 

 are true branch-builders, and are therefore noticed in this place. 



We will first take the Ringdove (Columba palumbus), some- 

 times called the Wood-pigeon, the Woodquest or queest, and the 

 Cushat. 



The nest of the Ringdove is placed in a variety of localities, 

 for the bird is not in the least particular in this respect. Some- 

 times it is situated near the top of a lofty tree, and sometimes it 

 is found in a hedge only a few feet from the ground. I have seen 

 nests in both localities. 



Mr. Waterton mentions a curious circumstance connected with 

 this bird. In a spruce fir-tree there was a nest of a magpie con- 

 taining seven eggs, which were removed, and those of the jack- 

 daw substituted. Below this nest a Ringdove had chosen to fix 

 her abode, and so the curious fact was seen, that on the same tree, 

 in close proximity to each other, were magpies, jackdaws, and 

 Ringdoves, and all living in perfect amity. It might have been 

 supposed that the magpies and jackdaws would have robbed the 

 nest of the Ringdove, but such was not the case. Moreover, the 

 bird knew instinctively that she would not be endangered by her 

 neighbors, for she came to the tree after the magpie had settled 

 in it. 



The nest of the Ringdove is of so simple a character as scarcely 

 to deserve the name. The bird chooses a suitable spray, and lays 

 upon it a number of sticks, which cross each other so as to make 

 a nearly fiat platform. Many birds make a similar platform as 

 the foundation of their nest, but with the Ringdove it constitutes 

 the entire nest. So slight is the texture of the platform, that 

 when the two white eggs are laid upon it they can be discerned 

 from below by a practiced eye, and it really seems wonderful that 

 they can retain their position on such a structure. 



Moreover, the open meshes of the nest allow the wind to blow 

 freely between the sticks, so that nothing would seem to be more 

 uncomfortable for the young. Above, they can certainly be shel- 

 tered by the warm body and protecting wings, but below they 

 seem to be exposed to every blast. Yet they find shelter enough, 

 and not only find it, but make it. With the generality of birds 

 the droppings are conveyed away by the parents, but with the 



