COLUMBID^. 253 



be extending its range westward in the breeding-season, as in July 18S9 we 

 saw eight Stock-Doves on Dawlish Warren ; and Messrs. E. A. S. Elliot 

 and E. P. jS^icholls say that since June 1887 it has become rather common 

 in the Kingsbridge district, and that it breeds on the cliffs between the 

 Bolt Head and Hope (MS. Notes). The Stock-Dove also bred in Corn- 

 wall in 1886 and 1888 (Zool. 1888, p. 302). 



During the years in which we carefully observed the birds of North 

 Devon we never met with an example of the Stock-Dove, either alive or 

 dead, and could never detect one among the numerous Pigeons brought 

 into the Barnstaple Market, or hanging up in the game-dealers' shops ; 

 but it is certainly now established as a resident in small numbers on the 

 coast in the neighbourhood of Ilt'racombe, where Mr. 0. V. Aplin tells lis 

 he is confident he saw two or three in the summer of 1887. There is 

 also a specimen of the bird in the Museum of Westward Ho ! College, 

 which, was shot close at hand. In the south of the county the Stock- 

 Dove is now fairly common, and large flocks are occasionally noticed in 

 the winter-time. 



The Stock-Dove nests in hollow trees, in holes in banks, in crevices in 

 old ivy-covered masonry, and in church-towers, sometimes beneath the 

 shelter of an impenetrable furze-bush, and rabbit-earths in the sand-hills 

 on the coast are favourite sites. In its habits it closely resembles the 

 Pving-Dove, but does not coo, making instead a grunting sound. The 

 Stock-Dove has a more southern range than the liing-Dove, and is only 

 a summer visitor to ISTorthern Europe, and is said not to be found beyond 

 tlie limits suitable to the oak. It takes its name from its fondness for 

 the stocks of trees, i. e. for trees which have been pollarded, and whose 

 tops, in consequence, are thick and bushy. When these trees become 

 hollow, as they often are, they afford the Stock-Dove, in inland districts, 

 its favourite nesting-station. The Stock-Dove can be easily distinguished, 

 when on wing, from the commoner lling-Dove, for, as Mr. Dresser states, 

 its flight " is lighter and more elegant, and when it rises on the wing it 

 does so witliout the loud flapping sound almost always produced by the 

 Iting-Dove." Its darker colour, and somewhat smaller size, also assist in 

 its recognition. " In all its movements the Stock-Dove is graceful, and 

 it walks on the ground with ease, progressing by short steps like the 

 tame Pigeon, every now and again nodding its head as it walks. When 

 seated on a bough or branch it sits rather upright ; and it usually has 

 some favourite perch, where it will sit early in the day preening its 

 feathers in the morning sun : it most frequently selects some very 

 elevated branch, from which it can have a tolerably clear view of the 

 surrounding country'' (Dresser, 'Birds of Europe,' vol. vii. ]). 2(5). 



The Stock-Dove is not so shy and w ary a bird as the lling-Dove, and is 

 very affectionate to its mate. 



We consider the flesh of the Stock-Dove, especially that of yonng birds, 

 to be both sweeter and of better flavour even than that of the ]{ing-Dovo, 

 though the latter is usually excellent. 



Mr. J. Barnes, formerly head gardener at Bicton, near East Budleigh, 

 in an article published in the ' Exeter Gazette,' about 1808, speaks of 



