Birds of Britain 



form also another example, as by nature they would and do 

 run from the nest, if the nest is on the ground, but if placed 

 on a narrow ledge they hardly move from it until fully 

 fledged. 



In habits this bird resembles the other Pigeons ; though 

 its method of courting, which must be well known to most 

 people, is slightly different. The male has a curious habit, 

 shared also by the Stock Dove, of driving the hen for a few 

 days before she lays. On these occasions his whole time 

 is spent in keeping her on the move, and he never lets 

 her settle or rest for a minute except on the nest. 



The sexes are alike, and pale grey all over, except the 

 rump, which is white. Across the wing are two distinct and 

 clear-cut black bars, while the metallic patch on either side 

 of the neck is rather more extensive than in the Stock 

 Dove. Length 14 in. ; wing 8 - 8 in. 



THE TURTLE DOVE 



Turtur communis, Selby 



This small species is only a summer immigrant with us, 

 arriving early in May and leaving again for its winter home 

 in Southern Europe and Africa in September. In England 

 it is a common and widely distributed species, but in 

 Scotland and Ireland it is rare, only occurring on migration, 

 though it may sometimes have nested in the former 

 country. 



It frequents woods, coppices, and tall hedgerows, con- 

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