166 BIRD GALLERY. 



Queest. Of recent years its numbers have greatly increased and every 

 park and most of the larger gardens in London are now frequented by 

 this species. In winter immense flights arrive on the east coast from 

 the Continent and augment the hordes of these voracious birds^ which 

 cause serious loss to agriculturists. The nest, a slightly built platform 

 of twigSj is placed on the branches of almost any kind of tree or bush, 

 and frequently in thick ivy on cliflfs and old walls. Two or three broods 

 are reared annually, the first pair of white eggs being generally laid in 

 February or March, and in favourable seasons nests containing eggs or 

 young birds may be found during every month of the year. 



Norfolk, June. 



Presented hy Lord Walsingham. 



No. 81. TURTLE-DOVE. (Turtur turtur.) 



A summer visitor to the British Islands, generally arriving about 

 the beginning of May and departing in September. Its numbers seem 

 to be yearly increasing and it is now found in many localities in which 

 it was formerly scarce or entirely absent. The flat, slightly constructed 

 nest of twigs is placed in a thick bush or on the branch of a tree, usually 

 at no great height from the ground, and the two white eggs are laid 

 towards the end of May. 



Norfolk, July. 



Presented by Lord Walsingham. 



No. 82. ROCK-DOVE. (Columba livia.) 



Common along the rocky coasts in the north of Great Britain and Ire- 

 land where caves and deep fissures exist and afford suitable resorts. The 

 nest is generally placed, as in the present instance, on the ledge of some 

 deep cavern, and composed of dry sea-weed, grass, or other materials. 

 Two white eggs are laid at each sitting and several broods are reared 

 during the year. 



From this species all the domestic varieties of dove-cot pigeons have 

 been derived, and it is by no means unusual to find tame pigeons in the 

 caves consorting with their wild allies. 



Caves of Cromarty, May. 



Presented by Captain S. G. Reid, G. A. St. Quintin ^ 

 W. R. Offilvie-Grant, Esqrs. 



