THE STOCK-DOVE. 481 



on inner secondaries and coverts smaller and often absent from 

 some feathers. Chin and gape bare, feathers subsequently grow on 

 these parts during moult to first winter. 



First winter and summer. — Like adults. The juvenile plumage 

 is completely moulted usually May to Sept. but sometimes in 

 winter months, depending on date of hatching, the moult com- 

 mencing before juvenile wing -feathers are fully grown. 



Measurements and structure. — $ wing 210-226 mm., tail 102— 

 115, tarsus 28-32, bill from feathers 19-21 (12 British measured). 

 $ wing 210-225. Primaries : 1st very small and hidden, 3rd and 

 4th longest, 2nd 3-12 mm. shorter, 5th 12-16 shorter, 6th 28-32 

 shorter ; 3rd to 5th slightly emarginated on outer webs. Tail 

 slightly rounded, 12 feathers, tips very slightly rounded. Rest of 

 structure as Wood-Pigeon. 



Soft parts. — Bill yellowish -horn, basal part mauve-pink ; legs 

 and feet mauve -pink ; skin round eyes pink ; iris brown. 



Characters. — Several subspecies separated but these require 

 confirmation. Grey colour, absence of any white, absence of 

 metallic colour on breast and short black bars on inner part of wings 

 distinguish this from other British Pigeons. 



Field -characters. — At close quarters a patch of iridescent* 

 metallic -green on side of neck, in adult, and vinous throat and breast 

 are apparent, but general impression, whether bird is at rest or in 

 flight, is of a dark blue -grey pigeon of medium size with inner part 

 of wings and fringe of tail black. Differs from Wood-Pigeon in 

 lacking white on neck and wings and from Rock-Dove in its blue 

 rump, axillaries and under wing-coverts. Flies faster than Wood- 

 Pigeon but does not attain Rock-Dove's speed. Habits like those 

 of Wood-Pigeon, with which it often consorts in winter, but its 

 wider choice of nesting-sites does not restrict it to woods and 

 plantations, and it is found in summer in parks where there is old 

 timber, about cliffs, both inland and maritime, sand-dunes and 

 warrens. Love-call a far-sounding, grunting " coo-oop," repeated 

 three or four times. 



Breeding-habits. — Haunts districts where old timber is plentiful, 

 but also found commonly near sand-dunes and in rocky country. 

 Nest. — Usually inside hole of old elm or chestnut ; but also often in 

 rabbit-hole, in sand-dune or in fissures of crags, in heath on face of 

 cliffs, old nests, old buildings, under furze-bushes, etc. Eggs. — 2, 

 exceptionally 3, white with faint creamy tinge, glossy but less so 

 than those of Wood-Pigeon. Average of 100 British eggs, 37.9 X 29. 

 Max. : 43x30.3 and 36x31. Min. : 34x28 and 34.5x26.5 mm. 

 Breeding -season. — Usually from end March onward to July and 

 exceptionally from early March to Sept. and even Oct. Incubation. 

 ■ — By both sexes. Period 15J-16J days ; two broods normally, 

 probably 3 occasionally. 



Food. — Similar to that of Wood-Pigeon. Collinge records grain, 

 clover leaves, swede and turnip-leaves, beans and peas in about 



VOL. II. 2 I 



