STOCK-DOVE. 



COLUMBA (EN AS, Linn. 



Columba oenas, Linn, (partim) S. N. i. p. 27L) (17GG) ; Naum. 

 vi. p. 215 ; Macg. i. p. 287 ; Hewitson, i. p. 273 ; Yarr. 

 ed. 4, in. p. 8 ; Dresser, vii. p. 23. 



Colombe, Colombin, French; Hohl-Taube, German; Paloma 

 brava, Paloma de campo, Spanish. 



This is one of several species that within the last 

 forty years have greatly extended their range in our 

 country. In Northamptonshire, or that part of the 

 county with which I am best acquainted, it has always 

 been common from as far back as I can remember, 

 breeding in hollow trees, church-towers, masses of ivy, 

 and occasionally in dense conifers, and rearing three or 

 four broods of two each between March and November. 

 The great majority of our home-bred Stock-Doves 

 leave us in the " dead " of winter ; but they generally 

 return in force in February, and soon commence nesting 

 operations. I have found a nest containing hard-set 

 eggs in the second week of March ; and, on the other 

 hand, have several times found unfledged young birds 



