THE EING-DOVE. 
5 
the nest^ but in a locality where the species was protected I 
have in different instances known it to be situated within 
seven feet of the ground^ in young fir trees. Tor five or six 
successive years lately, a pair has built in ivy growing upon 
a wall about twenty feet high at Castle Warren (co. Cork), the 
nest being placed not more than six feet distant from a window. 
In the summer of 1842, a large holly tree, growing close to the 
parlour window of Malahide Castle, was the receptacle of a nest, 
also situated but a few feet from a window and just over the 
avenue leading to the hall- door. The birds were not disturbed either 
by the opening or shutting of the window, or by people passing 
beneath the tree.^ A similar instance is noticed by Sir William 
Jardine.f So late as the end of October, eggs have been found 
in the nest of this species. { In the early spring their cooing, 
with which the woods resound, and their singular flight, rising and 
falling suddenly through the air, render the ring-doves highly 
attractive. Although these birds exhibit little fear of man in the 
breeding season, yet they are generally very wary, and when 
assembled in flocks, extremely so. Their sense of hearing must 
be remarkably acute, as the slightest noise, even at a distance, 
will alarm a flock, and cause the temporary desertion of their 
intended roosting-place. 
The large flocks alluded to, divide into foraging parties in the 
morning, though a few may be seen about their roosting-places 
at all times of the day. In severe frosts they are driven to the 
turnip-fields, to feed upon the green tops of the plant. Numbers 
may be seen together regaling on beech-mast; and they are par- 
tial to ploughed fields, on account of the seeds and other vegetable 
matter turned up. About Castle Warren they feed chiefly in 
winter on the roots of the silver weed [Fotentilla anserina), which 
they find so plentifully in ploughed ground, that their crops are 
often filled to distention with it.]] In the north of Ireland, young- 
people when gathering potatoes, often collect the roots of this 
* Br. C. Farran. 
t Mr. E. J. Montgomery. 
t Brit. Birds, vol. iii. p. 61. 
II Mr. Robert Warren, junr. 
