STOCK DOVE. 285 



ing off the young and tender shoots as they grow, the birds 

 always preferring those bushes that have a small opening 

 made by the rabbits near the ground ; a few pairs occasion- 

 ally breed in the holes of decayed trees ; but this is of rare 

 occurrence in this district. It generally commences breed- 

 ing by the end of March, or the beginning of April ; the 

 young ones, which are very much esteemed, being ready for 

 the table by the commencement of June." Mr. Salmon 

 also mentions his having known this bird to make its nest 

 high up in a fir tree, like the Ring Dove, last described ; 

 they also roost in trees, which the Rock and Domestic 

 Pigeons never do, and unless under very particular circum- 

 stances very seldom even settle in a tree at all. Mr. Selby 

 says the Stock Dove in its habits resembles the Ring Dove, 

 and is an inhabitant of woods, breeding in the hollows of 

 old and pollard trees. Mr. Jenyns says the Stock Dove 

 inhabits woods with the Ring Dove, but is less plentiful and 

 more local. Not uncommon in some of the midland and 

 eastern counties, where it remains the whole year. Builds 

 in the hollows of pollard trees, and lays two eggs. Does 

 not coo like the Ring Dove, but utters a hollow rumbling- 

 note, heard at intervals throughout the spring and summer 

 months. Flocks with the Ring Dove in winter, and sup- 

 ports itself in the same manner. 



Mr. Blyth says the Stock Dove is rather a rare species in 

 the south of England, and has a disagreeable grunting note 

 very different from the musical coo of the Cushat, and 

 equally unlike that of the Rock or dovecot species. Mr. 

 Jesse, in the last edition of his Gleanings, 1838, vol. ii. p. 

 256, mentions that some pairs of Stock-pigeons, Columba 

 anas, build every year in the holes of the old oak pollards 

 in Richmond Park. The keepers take the young, which 

 they say are excellent eating. The eggs are oval and 



