664 Birds. 



fidence was exhibited, and probably by the same birds, in the follow- 

 ing spring. 



Some people, we all know, adopt very singular theories on certain 

 subjects ; and so long as they are theories merely, or are quite inno- 

 cent, or their upholders do not seek to enforce their adoption upon 

 other people ; I do not see why the theorists should be disturbed in 

 their belief. And on this ground I claim indulgence, when I assert 

 my belief that these very familiar and fearless ringdoves were either 

 the direct descendants of my old pet, or that one of them was the 

 identical pet in question. I make a point of believing this, for it is to 

 me a satisfactory belief. And it is not, after all, a very singular the- 

 ory : although it must be confessed that a period of five or six years 

 intervened between the departure of my bird and the occurrence of 

 this instance of fearless tameness. 



The ringdove began to assume the white ring when about nine 

 weeks old; and a space of nearly a fortnight elapsed before the change 

 was completed. There is, I believe no perceptible difference, either 

 in size or plumage, between the male and female ; but the undulating- 

 flight of the male in spring, is a sure means of distinction. At this 

 time they not only are less wild in the neighbourhood of our houses 

 and gardens, but also in the fields and roads. Here there are often 

 belts of plantation along the road-side, and as I walk along, the ring- 

 doves allow me to approach within half gunshot, and then fly forwards 

 perhaps thirty or forty yards only, and again suffer me to come very 

 near them ; and so on. 



These birds are greatly on the increase in various parts of the king- 

 dom ; owing principally, I think, to the large extent of recent fir- 

 plantations. In Norfolk (and here the plantations are chiefly of fir) I 

 have seen them in flocks of many hundreds, where some years ago 

 they were a comparatively rare bird. It is the same in this district, 

 except that they are not nearly so numerous as in that last mentioned. 

 They resort to the same tree or trees for several weeks in succession, 

 to roost ; and usually begin to come in an hour at least before sunset. 

 This habit leads to their being shot in considerable quantities. The 

 sportsman marks their roosting-place, and betakes himself to its vi- 

 cinity before their return has commenced. He is thus pretty sure to 

 get several shots, as they seldom come in (unless suddenly disturbed 

 in the fields) in a body, but drop in by twos and threes ; and those 

 that have been frightened by a shot, generally come back again in the 

 course of half an hour. At other times, when their roosting-place is 

 a narrow belt of plantation, two persons go and " double " the belt, 



