426 
ROCK LARK. 
In another specimen, killed in the same place, the upper part of the 
hack, and the whole of the wing- coverts, are mottled with black and 
light ash-colour, without any regular hands across the wings. In every 
other respect it resembled the first ; but this was rather larger, weigh- 
ing twelve ounces ; length fourteen inches. It was a female, and was 
shot as she flew from her nest. This must, however, be considered as 
a variety ; for in the more remote parts, where the breed is pure, the 
bars on the wings seem to be a characteristic mark, and common to 
both sexes. 
These birds have sometimes appeared in prodigious flocks in winter, 
frequenting our beech woods for the sake of the mast or seed of that 
tree. These flights, however, are less numerous and less frequent of 
late years. Sometimes they are seen in company with our common 
pigeons, at the barn-doors, in severe winters ; and are said to be known 
by their inferior size and darker colour. 
This bird generally breeds in caverns on our coasts, and in ruined 
edifices ; and, we are told, sometimes builds in the holes of decayed 
trees. Perhaps these last have been called stock doves, supposing 
them a distinct species. Mr. White informs us, in his Natural History 
of Selborne, that stock doves formerly abounded in the beech woods 
near that place ; and that amongst them were seen little parties of 
small blue doves, which were there called rockiers. However this may 
be, we are inclined to believe it is the same species, with some little 
variety. * Fleming agrees with Montagu in this opinion ; against 
which there is the high authority of Temminck, and Selby thinks 
Montagu never saw the genuine stock dove at all.* 
All the beautiful varieties of pigeons under the denomination of 
carrier, pouter, nun, owl, &c., are supposed to be derived from this 
species by domestication. 
*The only place where I have ever seen the Rock Dove in a wild 
state, was at Howford, near Mauchlane, in Ayrshire, where two or 
three pairs nestled on the cliffs of the romantic rocks overhanging the 
river, but in situations so inaccessible, that I never knew them robbed 
by the most daring boys. It would be hard to say whether these 
had strayed from some neighbouring dove-cot, or had originally come 
thither from some wild brood, though the former is not so probable, as 
instances, I believe, are rare, of domestic pigeons voluntarily deserting 
their birth-place.* * 
ROCKIER. — A name for the Rock Dove. 
ROCK LARK. — A name for the Rock Pipit. 
* Architecture of Birds, p. 161. 
