274 BRITISH SEA BIRDS. 



STOCK DOVE. 



This Dove, the Columba &nas of naturalists, is 

 very often confused with the preceding species, 

 from which, however, it may readily be distinguished 

 by having the rump uniform in colour with the 

 back, and the wing bars broken up into patches. 

 Mistaken identity is also rendered even more easy 

 by the bird frequenting the coast, in just the same 

 localities we associate with the Rock Dove. As 

 most readers are aware, the Stock Dove is a dweller 

 in wooded inland districts, as well as on the coast. 

 I have, however, often remarked that the two 

 species rarely inhabit the same parts of the coast, 

 and that the Stock Dove shows preference for cliffs 

 that are more or less densely clothed with ivy, 

 stunted trees, and thickets. In its flight, shyness, 

 method of searching for food, and habits generally, 

 when frequenting littoral districts, the Stock Dove 

 very closely resembles the Rock Dove. The note 

 of the Stock Dove, heard most incessantly during 

 spring and summer is, however, different, and may 

 be described as a grunting coo-oo-up. At all times 

 this Dove is socially inclined, and becomes, to a 

 great extent, gregarious during winter ; its numbers 

 being increased during that season by migrants 

 from Scandinavia. Its food is chiefly obtained 

 from grain lands, clover fields, and stubbles, and 

 consists chiefly of grain and seeds, berries, and 

 various shoots. 



