XL. 

 COLUMBA ^NAS. (linn.) 



Stock Dove. 



The Stock Dove, though rarely, if ever met with in the 

 north of England, breeds in some of the southern counties ; 

 it is not uncommon in Epping Forest, from whence my 

 friend, Mr. Doubleday, has kindly supplied me with its eggs. 



It, however, appears, to be rather confined, even in the 

 south of England. White, though anxious to ascertain its 

 mode of breeding, was unable to do so ; he was of opinion 

 that our tame Pigeon had its origin from the Rock Pigeon, 

 and only wanted the confirmation of the Stock Dove, build- 

 ing a nest in trees like the Ring Dove (as he expected), to 

 render that opinion decisive. Although this has not proved 

 to be the fact, as the Stock Dove lays its two white eggs in 

 the cavities of decayed and pollard trees, and makes no nest ; 

 yet I should be very much inclined to think with him, and 

 to attribute its origin to the same source, as it frequently 

 happens that our tame Pigeon, when kept near the sea- coast, 

 will roam at large, and, returning to its native habits, will 

 establish its place of nidification, and rear its young ones in 

 cliffs overhanging the sea in like manner with the Rock 

 Pigeon (Columba livia). 



In the Shetland Islands, where the latter abounds, breed- 

 ing in the numerous spacious caverns into which the sea con- 

 stantly washes, they have every appearance of being tame, 

 and are so easily approached within gun-shot, that, until as- 

 sured of the contrary, I considered them the inmates of some 

 neighbouring dovecote. They approach quite close to the 

 huts of the fishermen, to feed over the small cultivated patches 

 of corn land ; and I have little doubt might, if encouraged 

 and fed, be readily domesticated. — Fig. 1 of Plate XL, 



