32 BIRD-LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



maritime districts places in which we expect to 

 meet with the Rock Dove only. The latter bird, 

 however, is excessively rare and local on the 

 Devonshire coast. We have not seen it ; and 

 during a residence of eight years in the immediate 

 vicinity of cliffs in every way suited to the bird, 

 we have heard of but one genuine example being 

 obtained, and that near Berry Head. All along 

 the bold coast-line of South Devon the Stock 

 Dove is the Pigeon of the cliffs and downs ; but of 

 this, more anon. What we wish to dwell upon 

 here is the bird's habit of roosting and nesting 

 among furze. Many gorse coverts along the 

 downs in little frequented parts of the coast 

 contain several pairs of breeding birds, and in 

 some localities isolated clumps of furze bushes 

 generally in inaccessible parts of the cliffs contain 

 an odd nest. This is usually built in a hole 

 amongst the dead gorse well under the bushes, 

 and in some cases is reached by a regular passage. 

 In some parts of the county, at any rate, the 

 Partridge and the Pheasant are very fond of 

 nesting among gorse, and the coverts everywhere 

 are a favourite roosting place for many kinds of 

 birds. 



