&40 
ORNITHOLOGICAL criticisms. 
When they are in good condition, they are taken for the table. This bird is now 
rarely seen in Suffolk; formerly it used to visit that county in prodigious flocks 
during the Winter season, feeding on the Buck-wheat stubbles. Mr. Leathes 
says that it breeds in the old trees near the Decoy at Herringfleet. Mr. Salmon, 
in The Naturalist , Vol. II., p. 107, confirms the fact that this bird breeds both at 
the tops of trees and in Rabbit-burrows, but chiefly in the latter. 
To capture the young Ring Doves, I have known another mode adopted in 
some parts of the country, viz., that of tying the unfledged birds by one leg to 
the nest. Hundreds and thousands are taken in this manner, and no doubt form 
many an excellent pie for the labouring classes. They may be purchased for a 
trifle of the urchins who catch them. This branch of business makes sad havoc 
with the numbers of these birds ; but they seem to get reinforcements in this 
neighbourhood in Winter from other districts. At that period they roost at night 
in immense “ masses,” separating in the day time into several smaller flocks, and 
traversing the country in all directions in quest of food. On the first signs of 
open weather they entirely disperse, and begin to 44 bill and cooand I must 
confess, that from February to September I would willingly hear a little more of 
that delightful though melancholy 44 murmuring” music in the shady groves, than 
at present falls to our lot. Some persons dislike the sound. Surely such men 
have no 44 Poetry in their souls !” To be candid, however, one must own that it 
is a sad disappointment, and a little breaks in upon the elysian dreams of the 
cooing of Turtle Doves, to approach too close while the 44 bird of the forest” is 
moaning forth his love. The strains then appear rough and hoarse to a degree 
which one would otherwise scarce have credited. The cooing never again has 
the same magic power over one’s feelings, although it may frequently be heard 
tinder the most favourable circumstances. Yet with me the music will ever be 
associated with the earliest and most delightful remembrance of the beautifully 
clear and pebbly stream—-unknown to fame—where, in the thick shade of 
trees of every varied shape and aspect, the tender accents first fell upon my 
enchanted senses. If not 44 philosophic naturalists,” children are at least real 
lovers of Nature—they seem to drink in wdth their entire attention the charms 
of rural life, in its ever-varying features, and never-ending wonders. 
I remember reading somewhere an account of a Fieldfare which, being closely 
pursued by a Hawk, flew for protection against Mr. Metcalf, keeper to Lord 
Lowther. I copy from my 44 common-place book ” as follows :— 44 Fie [The 
keeper] fired at the Hawk with the first barrel (while the Fieldfare sat still), but 
missed; the Hawk, intent upon his prey, disregarded the shot; with the second 
barrel he brought the bird down. The Fieldfare left his shoulder, and fluttered 
for a short time around its fallen and dead enemy* uttering a chirp of joy, and 
then winged away from its friend and unexpected protector.” Thus far the 
