WILD PIGEONS. 273 



tinue to resort to them in multitudes until they pair in spring. 

 I could never see any diminution in their numbers, or signs of 

 migration. When they begin to feed on the turnip-tops, their 

 flesh is bitter and ill-flavoured, but the beech-mast and acorns 

 improve it much. 



Early in February, should the weather be fine and sunny, 

 the ring-dove begins to coo. At first there are only a few 

 low notes in the morning and evening, but very soon this 

 soothing sound is to be heard- with greater power from every 

 corner of the coppice. The doves may also be seen rising in 

 the air to a considerable height, and then allowing themselves 

 to fall with outstretched wings, repeating this motion several 

 times, as if in exquisite enjoyment of the genial season. The 

 coo of the ring-dove continues in a less degree during the 

 summer, but chiefly in the morning and evening. They 

 build very early the nests being generally about half-way up 

 the evergreen trees, and composed of a few twigs so loosely 

 put together that you may see through them. Many have 

 two broods in the year, but I should imagine not all at least 

 if we may judge from the decrease of those that coo and 

 soar in summer and autumn. Numbers of branchers scarcely 

 able to fly are to be met with in August and September. I 

 have also found their nests with young in June but most 

 likely these were birds that have had their spring hatching 

 destroyed. The nest of this bird is easily discovered ; and 

 most people who have lived in the neighbourhood of hanging 

 woods are familiar with the bird's sudden crash through the 

 branches, when startled from its eggs. 



I once had some fancy pigeons of various kinds croppers, 

 tumblers, fan-tails, and carriers. It was a pleasure to feed 

 them every morning after breakfast. One day a ring-dove 

 most unexpectedly appeared, and claimed a share of the bar- 

 ley. At first he was rather shy, but in a week or so became 

 the boldest of the company. For two months " the stranger," 

 as he was still called, was never once absent at morning 



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