BRITISH WILD PIGEONS. 31 



notes. At this time the birds feed almost ex- 

 clusively upon green food, devouring tender 

 shoots and leaves in enormous quantities. They 

 like green or sprouting corn, and the leaves 

 of various varieties of field-clover ; numbers of 

 birds have been shot in early summer with 

 their crops distended with gooseberries. 



The Ring-dove has two or three broods 

 during the season, and nesting operations com- 

 mence early. In open seasons the nest is often 

 completed by the end of March. The birds 

 seem to shun the light, and the nest is oftenest 

 found in the more gloomy parts of the wood. 

 This is placed low upon a bough or between 

 a bough and the trunk ; and so wicker-like 

 is the platform of fir-twigs, that through the 

 frail structure the two white eggs may often 

 be seen from beneath. It is a curious fact 

 that not unfrequently the Sparrow-hawk and 

 Wood-pigeon build within a few yards of each 

 other, and apparently live at peace. Both 

 parents take their share in sitting, and incuba- 

 tion lasts from sixteen to eighteen days. Yery 

 little time is lost between the first and second 

 broods, and eggs and young are occasionally 

 found in the same nest. 



