152 
COLUMBIDyE. 
birds thus well fed, incubation is constantly in progress from 
the end of February to the end of October. In the '' Zoologist ” 
for 1864 (p. 9237), I remarked that I had never known eggs 
to be taken earlier than March or later than August. How- 
ever, I have since had reason to believe that the breeding 
season extends over a, much longer period, having on the 21st 
of January found in the ovary an egg which would certainly 
have been perfect in a couple of days, and having also seen 
fresh eggs on the 11th of October. 
Like the rest of the doves, the Eock Dove is said to pair 
for life, and it is not improbable that the belief is correct. I 
myself, in visiting a cave, have seen a pair of birds occiip}dng a 
nest on the very spot on which I had four summers previously 
known two broods reared by a pair presumably the same ; one 
of the birds, easily recognised by its parti-coloured plumage, 
being certainly a member of the original pair. The male occa- 
sionally takes the female’s place upon the eggs, but as he 
does not remain upon them so long he needs no food during 
the time ; nevertheless, he is unwearied in attending to the 
wants of his sitting mate. 
THE TUETLE DOVE. 
Columha turtur. 
Although formerly very scarce, this beautiful and timid bird 
may now be seen every year in certain of the gardens — that at 
Halligarth especially — between spring and autumn. It has 
always occurred singly. With nearly all, the habit was to 
wander away during the daytime, returning at night to roost 
in one particular tree. It was first known to occur in Shet- 
land in the autumn of 1856, when Mr Edmondston of Buness 
shot one at Baltasound. It was but little seen from that time 
until about six years ago, by which time the trees had grown 
above the walls, offering a more suitable refuge for stragglers 
of this description. 
