43 



late in the spring. It appears to travel by clay when migrating, and arrives in the spring singly ; 

 but in the autumn it usually travels in small, or occasionally in larger, flocks. It frequents 

 wooded districts, and is found in the woods on the plains as well as in the hills, but does not 

 appear to go up to any great altitude in the mountains, and is found both in non-evergreen 

 woods and in those which are composed solely of conifer trees, but more especially in the latter ; 

 for it feeds almost in preference on the seeds of these trees, and when there is an unusually rich 

 crop the Turtle Dove is more numerous than usual in the fir-woods. 



It is an exceedingly peaceful, timid bird, living in amity with others of its own species, and 

 is very aptly regarded as an emblem of peace. It frequents the large trees, and is often seen 

 on the larger branches, along which it frequently walks ; but when perched quietly at rest it 

 frequently sits on the topmost boughs. On the ground it walks with ease, the body being 

 carried in an almost horizontal position, the neck being rather drawn inwards; but when any 

 thing suddenly attracts its attention it will stretch its neck somewhat and jerk its head whilst 

 peering round in different directions. 



It flies with great swiftness and ease, usually direct ; but it turns and twists amongst the 

 trees with the greatest ease, and can usually avoid even the swifter birds of prey when amongst 

 the trees in its usual forest-haunts. Though partial to the society of others of its own species, it 

 is less seldom seen in such large flocks as other wild Pigeons ; but sometimes it collects in tolerably 

 numerous companies during the autumnal migration. Its note is a soft, somewhat monotonous 

 coo, which is uttered by the male as he is sitting on an elevated perch, usually alone, and with 

 which he calls his mate. When paired they are greatly attached to each other ; and should one 

 be destroyed, its mate clearly shows its sorrow by earnestly searching after the lost one ; but 

 that, as is often held to be the case, the survivor pines and dies, is scarcely correct, though it 

 appears quite true that it earnestly mourns for its mate. Soon after its arrival it pairs and 

 commences nidification, the place selected being in a wood or grove near clear water, and where 

 the underbrush is somewhat dense. The nest is merely a slight platform of twigs, not so large 

 as a man's hand, placed on the bough of a tree or on a bush, sometimes not many feet above the 

 ground, and at others at a considerable altitude. About the middle of May the eggs, two in 

 number, are deposited. They are pure white in colour, rather glossy in texture, oval in shape, 

 but rather stout, tapering equally towards each end. Both male and female incubate, and take 

 part in the rearing of the young, which remain in the nest until quite able to fly. 



The food of the Turtle Dove consists of seeds of various sorts and grain ; and it is extremely 

 partial to the seed of conifers. It visits the fields and eats a considerable quantity of grain of 

 almost all sorts, and also feeds on the seeds of many species of weeds and grass. Naumann says 

 that it is partial to the seeds of Astragalus arenarius, Vicia angustifolia, Ervum hirsutum, 

 E. tetraspermum, Polygonum convolvulus, P. aviculare, P. dumetorum, and of many sorts of grass, 

 especially of the Panicum group. It invariably resorts to fresh, and generally to running water 

 to drink, and always inhabits localities where good fresh water is to be had. It alights at a short 

 distance from the water when going to drink, and then walks to the edge, always selecting a 

 sandy place, and not where the grass extends to the edge of the water. 



The specimen figured is an adult male from the Crimea. I have not deemed it necessary to 

 figure the female or immature bird. 



