426 



ROCK LARK. 



In another specimen, killed in the same place, the upper part of the 

 back, and the whole of the wing coverts, are mottled with black and 

 light ash-colour, without any regular bands across the wings. In every 

 other respect it resembled the first ; but this was rather larger, weigh- 

 ing twelve ounces ; length fourteen inches. It was a female, and was 

 shot as she flew from her nest. This must, however, be considered as 

 a variety ; for in the more remote parts, where the breed is pure, the 

 bars on the wings seem to be a characteristic mark, and common to 

 both sexes. 



These birds have sometimes appeared in prodigious flocks in winter, 

 frequenting our beech woods for the sake of the mast or seed of that 

 tree. These flights, however, are less numerous and less frequent of 

 late years. Sometimes they are seen in company with our common 

 pigeons, at the barn-doors, in severe winters ; and are said to be known 

 by their inferior size and darker colour. 



This bird generally breeds in caverns on our coasts, and in ruined 

 edifices ; and, we are told, sometimes builds in the holes of decayed 

 trees. Perhaps these last have been called stock doves, supposing 

 them a distinct species. Mr. White informs us, in his Natural History 

 of Selborne, that stock doves formerly abounded in the beech woods 

 near that place ; and that amongst them were seen little parties of 

 small blue doves, which were there called rockiers. However this may 

 be, we are inclined to believe it is the same species, with some little 

 variety. * Fleming agrees with Montagu in this opinion ; against 

 which there is the high authority of Temminck, and Selby thinks 

 Montagu never saw the genuine stock dove at all.* 



All the beautiful varieties of pigeons under the denomination of 

 carrier, pouter, nun, owl, &c, are supposed to be derived from this 

 species by domestication. 



*The only place where I have ever seen the Rock Dove in a wild 

 state, was at Howford, near Mauchlane, in Ayrshire, where two or 

 three pairs nestled on the cliffs of the romantic rocks overhanging the 

 river, but in situations so inaccessible, that I never knew them robbed 

 by the most daring boys. It would be hard to say whether these 

 had strayed from some neighbouring dove-cot, or had originally come 

 thither from some wild brood, though the former is not so probable, as 

 instances, I believe, are rare, of domestic pigeons voluntarily deserting 

 their birth-place.* 1 



ROCKIER. — A name for the Rock Dove. 



ROCK LARK.— A name for the Rock Pipit. 



1 Architecture of Birds, p. 161. 



