PIGEON SHOOTING. 153 



viously known to him. When it was afterwards 

 sought for it was discovered in the same place, rose 

 with considerable noise, and alighted on a neighbour- 

 ing tree, whence it was shot. The plumage was that 

 of an immature bird." Thus we see it is only a 

 straggler that occasionally exceeds the ordinary bounds 

 of its migrations. It is, however, regular in its visits, 

 reaching the British coast between the end of April 

 and the commencement of May; again to depart in 

 the latter days of August, or early in September. 

 The fidelity of these birds is said to be as singular 

 as the attachment of the Carrier pigeon to its native 

 locality. The flight of the whole pigeon family is won- 

 derfully rapid. 





THE STOCKDOVE. 



The Stockdove. This species seems almost con- 

 fined to some of the southern shires of England 



