THE RING-DOVE. 



the nest, but in a locality where the species was protected I 

 have in different instances known it to be situated within 

 seven feet of the ground, in young fir trees. For five or six 

 successive years lately, a pair has built in ivy growing upon 

 a wall about twenty feet high at Castle "Warren (co. Cork), the 

 nest being placed not more than six feet distant from a window. 

 In the summer of 1842, a large holly tree, growing close to the 

 parlour window of Malahide Castle, was the receptacle of a nest, 

 also situated but a few feet from a window and just over the 

 avenue leading to the hall- door. The birds were not disturbed either 

 by the opening or shutting of the window, or by people passing 

 beneath the tree.* A similar instance is noticed by Sir William 

 Jardine.t So late as the end of October, eggs have been found 

 in the nest of this species. J In the early spring their cooing, 

 with which the woods resound, and their singular flight, rising and 

 falling suddenly through the air, render the ring-doves highly 

 attractive. Although these birds exhibit little fear of man in the 

 breeding season, yet they are generally very wary, and when 

 assembled in flocks, extremely so. Their sense of hearing must 

 be remarkably acute, as the slightest noise, even at a distance, 

 will alarm a flock, and cause the temporary desertion of their 

 intended roosting-place. 



The large flocks alluded to, divide into foraging parties in the 

 morning, though a few may be seen about their roosting-places 

 at all times of the day. In severe frosts they are driven to the 

 turnip-fields, to feed upon the green tops of the plant. Numbers 

 may be seen together regaling on beech-mast; and they are par- 

 tial to ploughed fields, on account of the seeds and other vegetable 

 matter turned up. About Castle Warren they feed chiefly in 

 winter on the roots of the silver weed {Potentilla anserina), which 

 they find so plentifully in ploughed ground, that their crops are 

 often filled to distention with it.|| In the north of Ireland, young 

 people when gathering potatoes, often collect the roots of this 



* Dr. C. Farrau. f Brit. Birds, vol. iii. p. 61. 



X Mr. E. J. Montgomery. || Mr. Robert Warren, juur. 



