GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 7 



is aged and hollow. To many sportsmen it is known by the 

 name of " Rockier." It is a shy and wary bird, and rarely allows 

 a near approach unless it considers itself unseen ; and will then 

 often remain in trees or on the cliffs until it is well within gun- 

 shot. Its flight is rapid and impetuous, the bird having wonder- 

 ful command over itself, and it is able to dart and twist in and 

 out of the branches, defying all but the quickest shots to bring it 

 down. Like the Ring Dove it frequents the fields and more open 

 country to feed and to dust itself; but when alarmed it hurries to 

 the nearest cover, and always repairs to its accustomed roosting- 

 place in thick plantations or on the ivy-clad cliffs at the approach 

 of dusk. It may frequently be seen running along the horizontal 

 limbs of trees, especially during the pairing season. The note of 

 this bird, persistently kept up all the spring and summer, is 

 much harsher than that of the Ring Dove, and may be aptly 

 expressed as a grunting coo-00-up. At all times of the year the 

 Stock Dove is socially inclined, and in autumn becomes 

 gregarious, the flocks then assuming large size. Many of these 

 birds are migrants from Scandinavia. All through the autumn 

 and winter these flocks frequent the stubbles and fields of newly- 

 sown grain, flying at nightfall to the woods and coppices where 

 they roost. Ring Doves very often mingle with them. The food 

 of this species largely consists of grain during the time that fare 

 is available ; but seeds of weeds, clover, and grasses are often 

 eaten. This bird is also partial to acorns and " mast," and even 

 consumes blackberries. Peas and beans are favourite fare, and 

 in severe weather, when snow is about, it will eat shoots of grain 

 and clover and the leaves and sprouts of turnips. Although it 

 frequents the ocean cliffs, it is rarely seen on the beach below, 

 except to drink the salt water, of which it is particularly fond j but 

 searches for its sustenance on the fields near by, or often flies 

 to some distance where favourite fare chances to be plentiful. 

 This bird in some districts is looked upon as a pest by agricul- 

 turists, owing to its depredations among the grain and green 

 crops, yet its good offices in ridding these self-same fields of 

 weeds is some recompense for its pilferings. 



Nidi&cation. — The Stock Dove pairs for life, and returns 

 yearly to breed in some favourite spot in spite even of much dis- 



