236 HANDBOOK OF BRITISH INLAND BIRDS 
in a pollarded oak in which a Tawny Owl had 
bred in the spring. A roomy hole in the trunk 
of a tree is the usual situation (hence the name 
of " Stock Dove) ; but where suitable trees are 
scarce the Stock Dove will occupy a rabbit hole, 
or lay its eggs beneath a thick bush of furze. 
Occasionally it will appropriate an old Magpie's 
nest or a squirrel's drey ; the Ring Dove will some- 
times do the same. The two white eggs are like 
the Ring Dove's in shape, but distinctly smaller, 
as a rule. The coo of the Stock Dove is less loud 
and varied than the Ring Dove's well-known note ; 
it is short, low, and abrupt. 
The Rock Dove {Columha livid) is not an 
inland bird in a truly wild state, but it deserves a 
word of notice as being the original species from 
which all our tame House Pigeons are descended. 
It may be recognised by the dark bars across the 
wings, and the white patch to be seen above the 
tail as it flies. 
TURTLE DOVE. 
{Turtur communis.) 
This beautiful little Pigeon is one of the birds 
most closely associated with warm June days and 
the rich verdure of early summer, for, unlike all 
