The Rock Dove 



THE ROCK DOVE 



Columba livia, J. P. Gmelin 



The Eock Dove is the original species from which most 

 of our domestic varieties have been derivecL It is only on 

 the wildest and most inaccessible parts of our coast that 

 this species can now be found in its pure state, as in all 

 the more inhabited portions it has become interbred with 

 feral domestic birds. It is a resident with us, breeding 

 in caves along the coast, although on the Continent it 

 also frequents inland and mountainous regions. The nest, 

 built of sea-weed, is placed on a small ledge near the 

 "roof of a cave, those into which the sea comes up with each 

 tide being chosen by preference. 



They breed very early, and at least two broods are reared 

 in a season, and in small caves which are only tenanted by 

 one pair, two nests may often be found and are used 

 alternately, the second clutch being usually laid before the 

 young of the first brood are ready to fly. It is worthy of 

 note that in this and many other species, where for the 

 young to move from the nest before they are fledged would 

 -mean instant death, they remain actually in the nest itself 

 "till fully fledged, and do not take their first flight till they 

 .are almost as strong on the wing as the old birds. 



This habit is in marked contradistinction to Rooks and 

 many other small birds that leave the nest and perch on 

 the branches round, long before they can fly. The Gulls 



271 



