The Stock Dove. 



441 



thighs, are palish blue or ashen grey. The legs and feet 

 are red, and the claws black. 



Habits and Breeling. — The Stock Dove is migratory in 

 habit, although a few specimens have been known to winter 

 in this country. It arrives on our shores in March, and 

 leaves again in October. It is common in the Midland 

 counties of England, and is abundant in southern Europe 

 and in Africa. It is termed by MacGillivray the Blue- 

 backed Dove, by Temminck the Wood Dove, and by 

 Mudie the Bush Dove, as it occasionally builds its nest in a 

 dense nut bush, though more frequently in the stocks of trees, 

 such as pollard willows or pollard oaks that have been 

 headed down, and consequently are bushy at the top, afford- 

 ing protection to the eggs and young. It sometimes selects 

 the hollow of a decayed tree for this purpose, the trees being 

 situated in low lying ground, or near a marsh. It returns 

 to the same spot year by year, and has generally two nests 

 in the season. Sometimes these birds affect a wood, but 

 more frequently a row of trees by the side of a river or on a 

 heath, but never far removed from cultivated districts. Like 

 all the dove or pigeon tribe, the hen lays two white eggs, 

 and incubates about seventeen days ; the male assists in the 

 process of nidification. 



Methods of Captuee. — Same as recommended for the Eing- 

 dove or Wood Pigeon. 



Food and Teeatment. — In the wild state, these birds feed 

 similarly to Ring-doves, and in the moulting season associate 

 with these birds to go in search of provender, which consists 

 of peas, various kinds of grain, vetches, linseed, pine and 

 fir cones, beech mast, and acorns. In a state of domestication 

 they may be fed the same as tame pigeons ; they are very 

 fond of wheat and hemp seed. 



Eearing the Young. — Eear and treat in the manner directed 

 for the Eing-dove {vide p. 432). 



Distinguishing Maeks of Cock and Hen. — The distinction 

 between the sexes is very trifling, and is only discernible to 

 a trained eye. The male bird is a little more pronounced in 

 the depth and brightness of his plumage, and more brilliant in 

 the sheen and reflections about his neck, than the female. 

 The cock is also bolder, and more majestic in his actions 

 and movements. 



