The Bird Book 



for the moment by the white band above their 

 tails, and continually calling to each other with a 

 low, piping note. 



Everyone knows the jet-black head, the bluish 

 grey back and red breast of the male, but the 

 female differs considerably. Her back is brown, 

 the hind neck ashy grey, and the breast and 

 underparts a dirty brown. 



The Bullfinch's nesting habits, too, are rather 

 different to those of its relations, for the nest, 

 placed in the hedge or some thick bush within 

 the wood, is built of twigs and beautifully lined 

 with roots. 



In similar situations in most of the copses in 

 the south of England, the Turtle Dove is sure 

 to be found nesting, and it is no very difficult 

 task to catch a glimpse of the bird, for, as in- 

 cubation progresses, it sits pretty closely. Long 

 before it is seen, however, its presence is made 

 known by its soft, " purring " note, resembling 

 the words " tur-r-r, tur-r-r " often repeated, 

 and stands in no danger of being mistaken 

 for the " coo " of the Woodpigeon. Its nest 

 is similar to that of the latter bird, though con- 

 structed of finer twigs, and when disturbed, 

 the female leaves her two white eggs without 

 demonstration. Very different is the conduct 

 of the Woodpigeon, which leaves its nest with 

 a loud clatter, crashing through the smaller 

 branches, and strikes its wings smartly together 



58 



