BRITISH BIRDS 



The migrants which arrive in autumn from abroad are said to be *' smaller, 

 darker in colour, and somewhat differing in the manner of flight from our home- 

 bred birds" (Lord Lilford). 



During the breeding season the male bird may be seen taking a short flight, 

 at the same time alternately rising and descending, and occasionally producing a 

 sharp clap by the striking together of its wings, which has been well described 

 by Macgillivray. At this time they lose much of their usual shyness, and come 

 to the neighbourhood of gardens and shrubberies, where the nest is often built. 

 When on the ground Wood-Pigeons walk in rather a slow and heavy manner, 

 quite unlike the much smarter action of the Stock-Dove when feeding, as I have 

 noticed when the two species are together. The white ring, characteristic of both 

 sexes when adult, is absent in the young. 



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