148 



KEARTONS' NATURE PICTURES 



without success, although I have with 

 comparative ease on several occasions 



TURTLE DOVE'S NEST. 



birds 



figured probably the selfsame 

 drinking or feeding in the open. 



Like its relative the wood pigeon, this 

 species drinks considerable quantities 

 of water, especially during hot weather, 

 when it will thrust its bill into a pool and 

 draw up the liquid by suction just as a 

 thirsty human being would do. 



The food of the Turtle Dove consists 



of different kinds of grain and seeds. I 

 attracted the individuals figured in the 

 heading to this article by feeding them 

 daily at the beginning of July upon 

 wheat, barley and dari seed, and 

 noticed a striking partiality for the last 

 named. The males, although popularly 

 supposed to be the very embodiment of 

 peace and gentleness, sometimes fight. 



The nest is built in spinneys, woods, 

 plantations, shrubberies, and old, unkempt 

 hedges at a height varying from four to 

 fifteen or twenty feet. The structure 

 generally rests upon slender branches 

 and is made of twigs, bits of dead wood- 

 bine, and occasionally dry rootlets 

 gathered from some adjoining ploughed 

 field. As a rule it consists only of a 

 slight platform through which the eggs 

 can be plainly seen from below. 



These number two, of a creamy 

 white colour and glossy texture. They 

 are laid in May and June, as a rule, but 

 may sometimes be met with in July and 

 even as late as August. 



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