BIRD-LIFE UPON THE CLIFFS. 22 5 



which it has to contend being apparently far too 

 strong for such to be the case. 



Our next bird of the cliffs is the Stock Dove. 

 Curiously enough, the Rock Dove is practically 

 unknown. During a residence of eight years on 

 the rocky coast of South Devon we have seen but 

 one example of this species, and that was shot 

 near Berry Head. The Rock Dove is said to 

 have been found on both the north and south 

 coasts of the county, but there seems to be some 

 doubt as to whether they were the descendants of 

 tame birds. The evidence, however, is fairly con- 

 clusive that this bird breeds on the north coast in 

 a strictly feral state. The absence of such a bird 

 as the Rock Dove is somewhat remarkable, seeing 

 that the coast is so eminently suited to its require- 

 ments. On the other hand, the Stock Dove is 

 not only a common and widely-distributed species 

 along the coast, but is evidently on the increase. 

 We can seldom wander far along the top of the 

 cliffs, or below them on the beach, without dis- 

 turbing these Pigeons from their retreats in the 

 rocks ; and in autumn and winter small flocks are 

 by no means unfrequent upon the stubbles and 

 other fields. Occasionally a bird is flushed from 



15 



