STOCK DOVE. 



43 



BASORES. COLUMBIDJE. 



PLATE CXLIV. 



STOCK DOVE. 



Columba cenas. {Linn.) 



The Stock Dove is distributed all over Europe, is very 

 plentiful in the forests of Norway, Sweden, and Finland, 

 and as far north as trees are found to grow to any size. 

 There is little doubt that this bird is equally plentiful in 

 Asia and part of Africa ; but, owing to the unaccountable 

 confusion that has existed in respect of the Stock and Rock 

 Doves until very recently, travellers have generally mistaken 

 one species for the other, and have mixed up their histories 

 together. The name of the Stock Dove is also improper, 

 for the Stock, or domesticated pigeon, has sprung from what 

 is generally called the rock dove ; but, in order to settle 

 the question amicably, and to prevent farther confusion, we 

 have here considered it best to retain the name by which 

 this species is most usually known. 



It has not been yet ascertained where the Stock Doves pass 

 the winter, for after the month of November they are no longer 

 to be met with in England, nor in any part of Europe. That 

 they travel southward is evident, from the fact that they arrive 

 late in the autumn in the islands of the Mediterranean and 

 Egypt, and early in the spring again first show themselves in 

 the same countries, and afterwards spread themselves all over 

 Europe. Woods and forests are chief, indeed, we may 



