OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. ii 



autumn. The food of this species consists largely of grain ; but 

 seeds of many kinds of weeds, the buds and shoots of herbage, 

 and the roots of the couch-grass are also eaten. The bird is 

 said also to eat great quantities of small land shells. It drinks 

 freely and often, and is fond of sea water. It has been said even 

 to alight on the surface of a river to drink, but I for one doubt 

 the statement. 



Nidification. — Like its two congeners the Rock Dove is an 

 early breeder, a few pairs commencing to do so in March, but 

 nesting does not become general before April and May. It is 

 also wonderfully prolific, and goes on rearing brood after brood 

 until the following October. The nest is always placed on the 

 rocks, either in clefts and fissures of the cliffs or in caves, those 

 being preferred which are always inaccessible to man save by 

 the use of a boat. In the latter situations the nest is placed in 

 the clefts and crannies of the rugged roof, or on ledges and 

 prominences of the walls. Numbers of birds breed in company, 

 the size of the colony depending to a great extent on the 

 suitability and resources of the site chosen. The nest is slight 

 enough, a few bits of grass or seaweed, a few roots or twigs, or 

 dry stems of weeds ; whilst even green grass has been known to 

 be used. The eggs are two in number, oval in form, and pure 

 white in colour. They measure on an average i'4 inch in 

 length by i"2 inch in breadth. These birds pair for life, use 

 the same nesting places year after year, and both parents assist 

 in the duties of incubation — which lasts from sixteen to eighteen 

 days — and in the care of the young. These are brought to 

 maturity in a similar manner to their congeners, and are deserted 

 as soon as they leave the nest. 



Diagnostic Characters. — Columba, with two well-defined 

 black wing bars, a pure white rump, and white axillaries and 

 under wing coverts. Length, ii to 12 inches. 



