The Ring-dove. 



431 



margin ; tlie third feather is the longest. The pinion coverts 

 are dull dusky grey ; the secondaries (likewise ten in number) 

 are darkish grey, the innermost being the lightest in hue ; 

 at the elbow joint, or bastard wing, dividing the primary 

 and secondary wing feathers, are several white feathers, and 

 others adjoining these are white on the outer web, the latter 

 together forming a conspicuous white patch in the centre 

 of the wing ; the wing linings are silvery grey ; at the end 

 of the tail is a bar of black, 3in. in depth ; the lower portions 

 of the neck and breast are vinous purplish brown, intermixed 

 with ashen grey ; the abdomen and thighs are faint greyish 

 blue. The legs are clothed with feathers to the feet, the latter 

 being reddish purple, and the claws horn brown. 



Habits and Breeding. — The Eing-dove inhabits Great 

 Britain, and is partly indigenous and partly migratory and 

 gregarious in its habits. It is found more or less throughout 

 Europe and Asia, and is very common in most of the well- 

 wooded and cultivated districts of England and Scotland. It 

 is very destructive in its habits, and on this account is a 

 recognised pest to farmers, for where large numbers of them 

 take up their abode in the immediate neighbourhood of a 

 farm they commit grievous depredations, attacking the newly- 

 sown seeds or grain, and devouring the young succulent 

 blades of wheat, as they put forth their tender shoots ; they 

 also regale themselves freely on the ripening grain, or on 

 peas, tares, beans, or any cereals that are grown within easy 

 reach of their native woods, and treat the usual scarecrows 

 with contumely and contempt. They devour the tender leaves 

 of young turnip and clover plants, and wherever they abound 

 in numbers their presence is severely felt. 



The Eing-dove is a shrewd, wary bird, and, although it 

 feeds on the ground the same as the pigeon, it rarely goes 

 near a fence, and rises and flies away on hearing the least 

 noise, or at the least appearance of impending danger ; and, 

 being very powerful on the wing, and a rapid mover, it can 

 soon place a safe distance between itself and the sportsman. 

 Cushats prefer fir to all other kinds of trees, and whenever 

 fir plantations abound are usually plentiful ; the thick, um- 

 brageous foliage affords them excellent protection from wind 

 and rain, and screens them from observation. 



Eing-doves build their nests in trees, generally near the 



