THE RINGDOVE. 



559 



Ringdove they are allowed to remain, when they rapidly fill up 

 all the open interstices, and form a dry scentless plaster, which 

 effectually defends the tender bodies of the young from the wind, 

 and has the farther effect of consolidating and strengthening the 

 nest. 



Ringdove and Nest. 



Although the nests are plentiful enough, and the eggs are com- 

 mon in the cabinet of oologists, it is not very easy to find a nest 

 that is furnished with this curious plaster, probably because some 

 one of the many foes which persecute the Eingdove has discov- 

 ered the nest, stolen the eggs, or killed the parent before the 

 young birds were hatched. 



It has already been mentioned that, with many branch-building 

 birds, the thickness of the nest, or of the platform on which it is 

 placed, is regulated by the exposed or sheltered position of the 

 branch, and such is the case with the Eingdove. Although, in 

 some instances, the platform is so flimsy that the eggs can be seen 

 through the interstices, in other cases it is from half an inch to an 

 entire inch in thickness. In all cases, the longest twigs are first 

 laid, and followed by those of smaller size ; and, although the 

 whole structure is very rude, it is always made with sufficient 

 care to assume a tolerably circular shape. 



The Turtledove (Columba turtur) builds a nest of very similar 

 form, and, if possible, even slighter in construction. 



