WOOD-PIGEON. 
243 
to its numbers during the autumn migration. It is gradually 
extending its range northward, and is now common in the 
Lothians and other districts of Scotland, where it was unknown 
but a short time ago. The same may be said of the West of 
England, but in every county of Ireland it breeds numerously, 
according to Mr. Ussher, though in the treeless districts it is 
seldom seen. 
Rajige outside the British Islands. — The present species is 
found throughout the Western Paltearctic Region, and 
extends eastward to Northern Persia, being replaced in 
South-eastern Persia, Central Asia, and the North-Western 
Himalayas as far as Nepal by Columba casioiis, which has the 
neck-patches fulvous, or clayey cream-colour {Salvadori). In 
most parts of Europe the Wood-Pigeon is a resident, and it 
breeds as far north as 65° or 66° N. Eat. •, but those birds, which 
nest in more northern latitudes, migrate south as winter 
approaches, mostly coming over to Great Britain like the 
Starlings. 
Hahits. — In a wild state the Wood-Pigeon is one of the 
shyest of birds, as it is also one of the most wary ; but during 
the breeding season, when once the female has begun to sit, 
they are more easy of observation. I remember how, when a 
school-boy, I found a nest in an isolated tree, a small elm. 
The nest was placed in the fork of a branch against the stem, 
and was rather difficult of access. My mind was bent at 
that lime upon possessing a live Wood-Pigeon to take home 
for the holidays along with my other pets (I had eighty birds 
of different sorts in a stable loft at the time. Barn-owls, 
Kestrels, Jackdaws, Mistle-Thrushes, etc., etc., etc. ! !). The 
young Pigeons, however, appeared determined not to be 
hatched out before my departure for home, so I resolved to 
catch the old bird if possible. The tree, as I said before, was 
not an easy one to climb, but I essayed it one morning soon 
after daybreak, when the hen bird was sitting hard, and I 
managed to reach the nest and place my hand on the sitting 
bird ; but not quite far enough, as she flew off suddenly, and 
left the whole of her tail in my hand ! 
The Wood-Pigeon creates great havoc among the peas, and 
I remember once meeting a well-known Cookham gunner 
R ? 
