58 COLU3IBID.E. 



It is a very easy matter to keep Turtle .Doves in confine- 

 ment ; and they become very tame, and generally very care- 

 less, from which circumstance they not unfrequently come to 

 an untimely end by being trodden to death. 



The favourite food of the Turtle Dove is the seeds of 

 the fir, and, like the wood pigeon, this bird frequents those 

 woods in which a plentiful supply of this seed is to be found ; 

 and as it frequently happens that different woods produce 

 a larger crop in one year than in others, so the Turtle 

 Doves are more or less numerous in certain localities in 

 certain years, according as their supplies of food are more or 

 less abundant. The bird in question always seeks for the 

 above mentioned seeds on the ground ; and the reason for 

 this proceeding probably is, that the beak of this pigeon 

 not being very strong, nor suitable to open the unripe fir 

 cones, it in consequence pursues its search on the ground, 

 where the ripened and naturally opened cones, and their 

 seeds, are to be found. The Turtle Dove also feeds on 

 grain and seeds of all sorts of vegetables, whether cultivated 

 or in a wild state, and seeds of many weeds that grow in 

 the hedges, in ditches, or in fields ; and on dissection of 

 the stomach, small stones, shells, and sand are found, as 

 well as portions of old mortar. The Turtle Dove breeds in 

 woods of every variety of extent, and in nearly all sorts of 

 trees ; but one thing is very essential to its comfort, namely, 

 a supply of fresh water in the shape of a natural spring, a 

 river, or a brook, for the bird in question is very fond 

 of bathing, and drinks frequently. In Avoods distant from 

 clear water, or where there are only muddy swamps and bogs, 

 the Turtle Dove never breeds. 



Shortly after the arrival of the male Turtle Dove in the 

 spring, when he has located himself, and made choice of 

 a mate, the pair of birds look out for a tree wherein to 

 place their nest, which is generally an oak or birch of 



