14 



RING PIGEON, 



This bird is indigenous to this island : it is a 

 migratory species, but never quits us entirely, only 

 moving from one part to another in the autumn, 

 and in some parts never changing its situation. In 

 winter this species assembles in immense flocks, 

 and constantly resorts to roost in the highest trees, 

 especially the ash : early in the spring they begin 

 to pair, at which time the male is observed to fly 

 in a singular manner, alternately rising and falling 

 in the air : the nest is composed of small twigs, so 

 loosely put together, that the eggs, which are two 

 in number (white and oval) may be distinctly seen 

 from below : both sexes assist in its construction ; 

 and the male frequently occupies the place of the 

 female during the tedious process of incubation : 

 the nest is generally placed in the fork of a tree, 

 or, when the tree is surrounded with ivy, against 

 its body; it is sometimes placed amongst brush- 

 wood, in hedges, or large hawthorn-bushes : they 

 have two broods in the year: their favourite 

 food consists of wild fruits, herbs, and grain of 

 all kinds ; in the autumn they devour acorns and 

 beech mast, swallowing them whole : they eat 

 also the tops of turnips, young clover, green corn 

 and berries. 



The note of this species is louder and more 

 plaintive than that of the common Pigeon; but 

 it is only uttered in pairing time, or during fine 

 weather: the flesh is excellent, especially when 

 young. Many attempts have been made to do- 

 mesticate it by hatching their eggs in dove-houses 

 under the common Pigeon; but as soon as the 



