RING DOVE. 195 



cabbage plants, etc. In the summer the birds feed 

 upon vegetable substances peas, beans, clover and 

 many kinds of fruit. Gilbert White, speaking of the 

 Wood Pigeon, says : " One of my neighbours shot one. 

 When his wife had plucked and drawn it, she found 

 its craw stuffed with the most nice and tender tops of 

 turnips, which she washed and boiled, and so sat down 

 to a choice and delicate plate of greens." Well, every 

 one to his taste ! 



RING DOVE. 



The soft cooing of the Ring Dove is one of the most 

 delightful and soothing sounds we country people love 

 to hear, and when the birds are pairing, the woods 

 all around echo with the gentle murmuring of these 

 happy birds. 



The nest is a most rude one, and it seems marvellous 

 that it is not blown away or that the eggs do not roll 



