OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 15 



for the South is practically suspended. The food of the Turtle Dove 

 is composed of grain of all kinds, the seeds of a great variety of 

 weeds, tender shoots of herbage, fruit, and even snails and insects. 

 In autumn it becomes more or less gregarious again, and in flocks 

 frequents the stubbles, clover-fields, and turnips. It frequently 

 goes long distances to feed on favourite pastures, and is much 

 attached to its roosting place. 



Nidification. — I am of opinion that the Turtle Dove pairs for 

 life ; and even in Algeria, before the northern flight was taken, 

 I saw them sitting in pairs on the palm-tops. Soon after its 

 arrival in England the nesting season commences, and the first 

 eggs are generally laid late in May, in more backward seasons the 

 first week in June. The nest is as a rule made much nearer to the 

 ground than that of the Ring Dove; and trees are not so often used 

 as tall bushes. Sometimes a thick hedge is selected ; whilst white- 

 thorns, hollies, and laurels are often chosen. It is a flat basket- 

 like structure made of a few slender dead twigs, through which 

 the eggs are often visible from below. The eggs are two in num- 

 ber, oval, and creamy white in colour. They are on an average 

 1-2 inch in length by "91 inch in breadth. Incubation lasts 

 about sixteen days, and both parents assist in the task, as well as 

 in tending the young. Sometimes two broods are reared in the 

 summer, but this is exceptional ; and late broods of this species 

 may often be attributed to the fact that the first nest had been 

 robbed. I have not observed much social tendency during the 

 breeding season in this species. 



Diagnostic Characters. — Turtur, with black tipped with pale 

 lavender (nearly white), patches on the side of the neck, and with 

 the under tail coverts and tips of the rectrices white. In young 

 birds the neck patch is absent, and the feathers are edged with 

 brown. Length, 11 to 12 inches. 



