152 
THE RINGDOVE. 
only of its diurnal movements ; for, at the close of 
day, both in winter and in summer, when not mo- 
lested, this bird will come near to our out-buildings, 
and seek a roosting-place in the trees which sur- 
round them. This peculiarity of the ringdove in 
approaching so near to our mansions during the day 
in the breeding season, and then losing all confi- 
dence in us, as soon as incubation ceases, is not a 
mere accidental trait of one or two particular birds> 
whose usual habits may have been changed, either 
by want of food, or by protection offered ; but it is 
inherent in the whole species, when the bird is 
allowed by man to follow Nature's unerring man- 
dates. 
I know of no British bird which has the colour of 
its plumage so constant as is that of the ringdove. 
I have never yet seen it vary ; and the white spot or 
segment of a circle on the back of its neck, from 
which it takes its name, is always of the same size. 
Ringdoves are exceedingly numerous here during 
summer ; and when winter sets in, many thousands 
come every evening to take up their quarters for 
the night. They retire early to roost, and never 
leave the trees till all the other birds are on the stir. 
As yet, all attempts to reclaim this pigeon have 
been of no avail. I should suppose that it is not in 
the power of man to make it breed within the walls 
of a dovecot. For my own part, I am not exactly 
aware that its reduction to domestication would be 
productive of much advantage to us. Let others 
offer it the same protection it enjoys with me, and 
there would always be an ample supply of ringdoves 
