9 



patch. Specimens from Bagdad in the British Museum are referable to the present species ; but 

 near Shiraz, in Persia, Mr. Blanford only met with Columba casiotis. 



In habits the Ring-Dove does not differ much from the Stock-Dove; but it is easily recog- 

 nizable from that species by its larger size, longer tail, and more especially by the white markings 

 on its wings. It is exceedingly shy, and well able to take care of itself; and when disturbed 

 whilst perched on a branch it almost invariably flies out at the other side, thus placing the tree 

 between itself and the intruder. It walks on the ground with ease, taking short dainty steps, 

 and is there quite as cautious and wary as when perched in a tree. During the breeding-season 

 it seems to be less gregarious than its allies, and breeds in scattered pairs ; but at other seasons 

 of the year it frequently collects in larger and smaller flocks, and seeks its food in the oak-forests, 

 beech-woods, and on cultivated ground, frequently creating great devastation in the latter. 



The note of the Ring-Dove is a deep coo, which is uttered by both sexes, but less frequently 

 by the female than by the male, aud is most often heard in the pairing-season, when the male 

 bird is paying his addresses to his mate. It seldom coos whilst seated on the ground, and still 

 more seldom when on the wing, but usually when perched on some tree-top. The male fre- 

 quently rises from his perch high up into the air and circles down again, with extended wings 

 and tail, to where his mate is waiting for his caresses. The Ring-Dove lives in strict monogamy ; 

 and great affection appears to exist between a pair when mated. Two broods are usually raised 

 in the season, and perhaps in some instances three. The first eggs are deposited about the 

 middle of April, and the second lot in June. The usual place selected for the purpose of 

 nidification is on the edge of a wood ; but the nest is often found in the middle of a dense forest, 

 and not unfrequently in gardens surrounded by human habitations. Either an old nest of a Jay, 

 a Crow, or a Squirrel is made use of, or else the bird constructs one for itself; in the latter case 

 it is, as is usual with all the Pigeons, a very poor structure, consisting merely of a platform of 

 twigs so loose that the eggs may be seen from below. Both birds assist in bringing together the 

 materials ; but the female appears to be the sole architect. 



Two eggs are almost invariably deposited, the first soon after the nest is finished, and the 

 second three days later; and incubation lasts about eighteen days. The eggs are pure white in 

 colour, thin-shelled, elongated oval, and, compared with the size of the bird, are small, being but 

 little larger than those of the Stock-Dove. When the young are hatched they are blind and 

 very helpless ; when about nine days old they get the use of their eyes, but are carefully fed by 

 their parents, and remain in the nest until well able to fly. 



The food of the present species consists of seeds of various kinds, buds, &c. It is very fond 

 of the seeds of various conifers, of beech-nuts, grain of various kinds, rape-seed, linseed, turnip- 

 seed, acorns, &c. ; and tender fresh leaves of plants are often found in quantities in its crop. It 

 also feeds on blueberries, gooseberries, and other fruits. Like the other Pigeons it goes regularly 

 to drink, usually in the morning and in the evening; and there are drinking-places to which it 

 regularly resorts. 



In confinement the Ring-Dove does not seem to thrive well, though when taken from the 

 nest and brought up it becomes tolerably tame. When captured old it is difficult to keep alive, 

 and has to be crammed for some time, until by degrees it can be got to feed itself. 



The specimen figured is an adult male from Kent, and is the bird above described. 



2p 2 



