320 Columbidcv. 



burrow or the shelter of a thick furze-bush. In Scandinavia it 

 goes by the name of Skogs Dufva, or ' Wood-Dove,' whereas our 

 * Wood-Pigeon ' is Ring-Dufva. It returns every year to build 

 its nest amongst the thick ivy which covers one side of the 

 Rectory at Yatesbury, and I have satisfied myself that it has very 

 much increased in numbers with us within the last quarter of a 

 century. It does not coo like its congener, but has a distinct 

 note of its own a prolonged drawling note, which has been not 

 inaptly compared to a grunt. In general habits and in food the 

 two species are alike. In France it is Colombe colombin, and in 

 Italy Columlella; in Spain and Portugal it appears to have 

 no distinguishing name, but shares in that of its congener, C. 

 palumbus. 



122. ROCK-DOVE (Columba lima). 



This is the true wild Pigeon, the origin of all the numerous 

 varieties which inhabit our dovecots, and have been domesticated 

 amongst us for ages. Its natural dwelling is amongst the caves 

 and crevices of rocks, more particularly on the sea coast ; but it 

 occasionally comes inland, and used to breed in the rocks near 

 Roundway, whence the late Mr. Withers, the skilful taxidermist 

 of Devizes, frequently received a specimen for preservation. It 

 is of very rapid flight, and feeds, like its congeners, in the stubble 

 and corn-fields as well as in the meadows. It derives its specific 

 name livia from the lighter ' lead ' colour which distinguishes it 

 from other species, and it may also be easily recognised by the 

 two distinct black bars which traverse its wings and the pure 

 white on the lower part of the back. In Spain it is Paloma 

 brava, ' Wild Pigeon ;' in Portugal, Pombo, ' the Pigeon ;' in 

 Sweden, Klipp Dufva, 'Rock-Dove;' in Germany, Haustaube, 

 ' House Pigeon ;' and in France, Colombe biset. In the localities 

 which it most affects in the cliffs which border so many of our 

 coasts it may be found in large flocks ; but in North Africa and 

 Egypt, the prodigious numbers which literally swarm in certain 

 districts are perfectly astonishing in proof of which I may add, 

 that in a couple of hours' shooting it was easy to bag forty head ; 



