50 COLUMBID.'R. 



the " tumbler, 11 or the fidelity and perseverance of the 

 "carrier, 11 their acquisition of all these distinguishing charac- 

 ters is not to be easily explained or accounted for. 



In the present history, which is that of the Rock Dove 

 in its natural or wild state, we must remark that we have 

 met with them in the summer or breeding time only in our 

 county (Surrey). A pair of them is frequently to be seen 

 in Cardinal Wolsey's Tower at Esher Place, and also in 

 the observatory at Claremont Park, which verifies the state- 

 ment of their frequenting towers, and ruins of old brick build- 

 ings. 



The chosen locality of the Rock Dove is a rocky sea- 

 coast ; and these birds', finding shelter and food at all times 

 in this their safe retreat, only occasionally travel inland to 

 breed in some tower or other building. The Rock Dove 

 is never seen perched on the branch of a tree, in which it 

 differs from all the other species : it nevertheless prefers a 

 lofty perch, from whence it can survey the surrounding coun- 

 try, and choose a feeding-ground, for which purpose a 

 stubble field, or one containing a green crop of some 

 kind, is generally selected, or occasionally the banks of a 

 river or the sea-shore. The Rock Dove roosts in a hole 

 of some sort, but not amongst the branches or foliage of trees ; 

 and sometimes a single bird of this species may be found to roost 

 on the ground in an open field, and in this situation an early 

 sportsman may get a chance shot at one of them. 



In its flight the Rock Dove is among the quickest of birds ; 

 and when it is either pursued by a hawk, or startled by the 

 approach of other danger, it is remarkable to see with what 

 velocity they will shoot through the air, with very quick 

 short strokes of the wings, accompanied by the sound 

 produced by their strong pinions. But when the bird only 

 descends, or flies in search of food, it strikes the air more 

 leisurely and with longer strokes ; but at all times the sound 



