26 



STOCK PIGEON. 



the hind part of the neck and sides green-gold, 

 glossed with copper according to the light : the 

 upper part of the back and wings dull ash-colour : 

 the lower part of the back, rump, and upper tail- 

 coverts, lighter ash : forepart of the neck ash-co- 

 lour ; its lower part and the breast of a vinaceous 

 hue : the four or five outer quills are black, with 

 the exterior edges white ; the rest ash-colour, 

 with the ends black : on each wing are two black 

 spots : the belly, thighs, and under tail- coverts 

 pale ash : the tail is ash-coloured, with one-third 

 of the end black, and two of the outer feathers 

 white from the base to the middle on the exterior 

 edge : beneath, the tail has a bright grey band, 

 passing transversely across each feather : the legs 

 and claws are black. 



The Stock has been generally confounded with 

 the Domestic Pigeon, but there cannot be much 

 doubt of its being a distinct species : its habits 

 are somewhat similar to those of that bird. 



It is found very abundantly on the coasts of 

 England, and also amongst beech woods, which it 

 frequents for the sake of the mast, upon which it 

 feeds. Upon the approach of winter, great quan- 

 tities migrate into England from the more northern 

 parts, and return in the spring ; but many remain 

 all the summer, and build in old trees, laying two 

 white eggs : many attempts have been made to 

 domesticate this species, but they have always 

 failed, the bird escaping as soon as it had an op- 

 portunity, and returning to its haunts. Its food 

 principally consists of seeds and berries. 



