CHAPTER LXXX. 



THE Stock Dove. 



Columha oenas, Lin. ; La Biset, Buf. 



Desceiption and Chaeactee. — This bird differs from the Eing- 

 dove in appearance, voice, and habitat. At one time it was 

 believed to be the progenitor of the domestic pigeon, but 

 this idea has now been abandoned ; the title by which it 

 is commonly known is assumed to have originated the idea. 

 The name Stock Dove is now supposed to have been gi^en 

 to this species on account of its almost invariably selecting 

 the stock of a tree as a nesting-place. An adult Stock Dove 

 measures from 12Jin. to 13Jin., the females being slightly 

 smaller than the males. The bill is palish red in summer 

 and pinkish white in winter, and slightly incurvated at the 

 tip of the upper mandible. The iris is bright brown. The 

 head, hind neck, throat, upper part of back, scapulars, and 

 wing coverts, are of a deep bluish grey, the latter being 

 fringed with rose colour. The sides of the neck are 

 embellished with green, gold, and purple reflections ; the 

 lower portions of the back and rump are pearly grey. The 

 outer primary feathers are dusky slate grey, edged with 

 white, and the secondaries bluish grey, marked with black spots 

 on the outer web. The large wing coverts are likewise 

 spotted with black, forming two bars across the wings. 

 The tail is light bluish grey, and black at the end ; the 

 lower half of the two exterior feathers is white ; the under 

 parts of the neck and breast are bright reddish purple or 

 wine colour, tinged with grey ; the abdomen, sides, vent, and 



