ROCK DOVE. 51 



gwee, gwee, gwee is plainly produced. In fine weather, 

 and chiefly in the spring of the year, the Rock Dove circles 

 in the air ; and when in the act of alighting the wings are 

 mostly seen to be raised high above the body, and the quill- 

 feathers are beaten loudly together, producing the noise so 

 well known in the vicinity of a pigeon-house. 



Although this bird is very partial to high situations, it is 

 nevertheless obliged to descend to obtain its food ; and when 

 on the ground it runs very tolerably, although an occasional 

 flutter of the wings is resorted to as an assistance, if addi- 

 tional speed in this situation is required. The Rock Dove 

 is a very clean bird, and its feathers are mostly in perfect 

 order, and in unruffled condition. Its peaceable disposition 

 towards other birds heightens its character still more ; and 

 although these birds, like all other creatures, have some 

 private family disputes, yet they live on the whole very 

 amicably together. Their differences seem principally to 

 arise from a disputed right of possession to some particular 

 spot to breed in, one bird often appearing desirous of obtain- 

 ing a situation already occupied, and if the present possessor 

 does not yield immediately, the parties begin beating each 

 other with their wings, and the quarrel frequently lasts a 

 long time before it is arranged. During the search for food, 

 even when the birds in question appear to be suffering from 

 hunger, no jealousy or selfishness is shewn towards each other. 



It is reported that the Rock Dove is not shy ; but it 

 is a well known fact, that these birds, when disturbed 

 oftener than once in a day, generally leave the neighbourhood, 

 and retire to those situations where they are not easily to be 

 followed by man. One of the peculiarities of the Rock 

 Dove is its sociability with its own species, for, whether in a 

 wild state or domesticated, this pigeon is found in company 

 in flocks of either large or small numbers, but never alone, 

 unless some misfortune has befallen a single bird ; and 



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