BRITISH WILD PIGEONS. 37 



time indulge may be observed. The female 

 dove sits passively upon a bough of pine or 

 fir while the male describes a series of circles 

 round her. At first he coos softly ; but, after 

 a preparatory pouting to his mate, he puffs out 

 his throat-feathers and indulges in what is very 

 much like a hearty laugh. This continues 

 while the wicker-like nest is building, and even 

 after the two pinky-white eggs are laid. Incu- 

 bation lasts rather over a fortnight, and it is 

 rare in this country that the Turtle-dove rears 

 more than one brood. It is by far the most 

 delicate of the pigeons, and is peculiarly sus- 

 ceptible to cold. It comes when spring is well 

 advanced, and at the first suggestion of autumn 

 cold it flocks and leaves our shores. Family 

 parties may be seen by the middle of September, 

 and by the end of that month few remain. 



Although the Turtle-dove eats grain, it 

 devours enormous quantities of the seeds of 

 weeds, and also those of many objectionable 

 grasses. It is partial to vetches, rape, charlock, 

 wild mustard, and especially haunts the pulse- 

 fields. It is often seen busily employed upon 

 the fallows, and, like the rest of the wild pigeons, 

 frequents fields containing root-crops, especially 



