462 THE STOCK DOVE. 



domestic Pigeon. If the young ones, thus reared, be pre- 

 vented from migrating in the autumn, they will pair in the 

 spring with the Pigeons, and produce very handsome mules. 

 Of these bastard broods, however, it is very rare that both 

 birds are reared. 



Mode of Taking. This, like the two following species, may 

 be easily taken at the salt-licks provided for the deer, by means 

 of a clap net, which the fowler must be ready to throw over 

 them when they perch. Between twelve and one o'clock, and 

 occasionally after sunset, they may be taken in the water trap ; 

 but are very cautious in their approach to it. 



Attractive Qualities. The beauty, affectionate disposition, 

 and agreeable cooing notes of this bird, are sufficient to give it 

 a place in any aviary. 



ADDITIONAL. MACGILLIVBAY terms this the Blue-backed 

 Dove, and says that the above name was given to it at a time 

 when it was believed to be the origin of the domestic races, and 

 identical with the Rock Dove, which will presently be described, 

 and to which in form, size, and general appearance, it is very 

 similar. TEMMINCK, it seems, was the first naturalist who clearly 

 distinguished and separated the two species. The one which we 

 have now to notice is sometimes called the Wood Dove. MUDIE 

 observes, that "this is a smaller species than the King Dove, and 

 in England it is rare, excepting in the midland counties. The 

 southern parts of Europe are its principal haunts ; but it is a 

 roaming bird, and migrates in large flocks. It is a percher, and 

 always nestles in holes of trees, or in tall bushes, which might 

 have convinced authors that it could not well be the parent stock 

 of those numerous varieties which live in Pigeon holes, and never 

 perch or build in trees, though the Pigeon houses are in the 

 middle of woods. If the domestic Pigeon had been derived from 

 the Stock Dove, (or the ' Bush Dove,' as it is sometimes cajled with 

 more propriety), we should certainly have found it resting upon, or 

 moaning its note from the trees of the garden, rather than the 

 roof of the house. The only note of the Stock Dove is a hollow 

 grunt. The same pair builds for years in the same place. This 

 bird has no white on the rump, no bars on the wings ; it is thicker 

 at the shoulders and on the breast than the domestic Pigeon. 

 The legs and feet are not so strong, the former are not so much 

 feathered, and the claws are not so well armed on their under- 

 sides with pads and tubercles." 



YABBELL observes, that " the Stock Dove is perfectly distinct 

 from the Bock Dove, as its localities, habits, voice, and plumage 

 will sufficiently demonstrate. It was called cenus by J8AY, on 



