OF THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 21 



of the Eing 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 number, oval, and 

 creamy-white in colour. They are on an average 1'2 inch in length and "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 the existence of late broods of this species 

 may often be attributed to the fact that the first nest has been robbed. I have 

 not observed much social tendency during the breeding season in this species. 



Diagnostic chiaracters — 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. 



