308 NATURAL HISTORY. . 



The RINGDOVE, or CUSHAT, is the largest of our native 

 pigeons. A black ringlet round the neck, edged with white, 

 gives it the name of Ringdove. It is very common in 

 England, and its nests are usually found to consist of a few 

 sticks, thrown loosely together on a spray of fir or holly. The 

 structure of this platform, for nest it can hardly be called, is so 

 loose, that the white eggs can generally be seen through the 

 interstices. 



COLUMBA. 



' (En as (Gr. Qlvus), the Stockdove. 



The STOCKDOVE builds its nest in the stocks of trees, (from 

 whence its name,) and has been known to lay its eggs in 

 deserted warrens, without making any nest at all. In former 

 times, when forests of beech-trees used to cover the country, 

 enormous flocks of these birds frequented them, in order to 

 feed on the beech-mast. Now they are not so common, 

 although still in considerable numbers. 



