152 



THE RINGDOVE. 



only of its diurnal movements ; for, at the close of 

 day, both in winter and in summer, when not mo- 

 lested, this bird will come near to our out-buildings, 

 and seek a roosting-place in the trees which sur- 

 round them. This peculiarity of the ringdove in 

 approaching so near to our mansions during the day 

 in the breeding season, and then losing all confi- 

 dence in us, as soon as incubation ceases, is not a 

 mere accidental trait of one or two particular birds, 

 whose usual habits may have been changed, either 

 by want of food, or by protection offered ; but it is 

 inherent in the whole species, when the bird is 

 allowed by man to follow Nature's tinerring man- 

 dates. 



I know of no British bird which has the colour of 

 its plumage so constant as is that of the ringdove. 

 I have never yet seen it vary ; and the white spot or 

 segment of a circle on the back of its neck, from 

 which it takes its name, is always of the same size. 



Ringdoves are exceedingly numerous here during 

 summer ; and when winter sets in, many thousands 

 come every evening to take up their quarters for 

 the night. They retire early to roost, and never 

 leave the trees till all the other birds are on the stir. 



As yet, all attempts to reclaim this pigeon have 

 been of no avail. I should suppose that it is not in 

 the power of man to make it breed within the walls 

 of a dovecot. For my own part, I am not exactly 

 aware that its reduction to domestication would be 

 productive of much advantage to us. Let others 

 offer it the same protection it enjoys with me, and 

 there would always be an ample supply of ringdoves 



