STOCK-DOVE, 
COLUMBA UNAS, Linn. 
Columba cenas, Linn. (partim) 8. N.i. p. 279 (1766); Naum. 
vi. p. 215; Macg. i. p. 287; Hewitson, i. p. 273; Yarr. 
ed. 4, il. p. 8; Dresser, vii. p. 23. 
Colombe, Colombin, French; Hohl-Taube, German ; Paloma 
brava, Paloma de campo, Spanish. 
This is one of several species that within the last 
forty years have greatly extended their range in our 
country. In Northamptonshire, or that part of the 
county with which I am best acquainted, it has always 
been common from as far back as I can remember, 
breeding in hollow trees, church-towers, masses of ivy, 
and occasionally in dense conifers, and rearing three or 
four broods of two each between March and November. 
The great majority of our home-bred Stock-Doves 
leave us in the “dead” of winter; but they generally 
return in force in February, and soon commence nesting 
operations. I have found a nest containing hard-set 
eges in the second week of March; and, on the other 
hand, have several times found unfledged young birds 
