272 
COLUMBIA®. 
little tlie appearance of a bird's nest; it is so loosely put 
together and so slight, that the eggs may, in many in¬ 
stances, be seen through from below. Mr. J. H. Tuke in¬ 
forms me, that he has frequently found the nest of this 
species upon the deserted nest of a squirrel. 
The Ring Dove seems to prefer the branches of the oak 
and fir-tree, as being more horizontal and better suited 
to the flatness of its nest; it is found, also, in thorns, and 
in ivy growing against trees. It has two or three broods 
in the year, and lays invariably two eggs, of a glossy 
white, and, for the most part, of a perfect oval. I have 
known young ones in the nest as late as the middle of 
September. 
Mr. Hancock has, in several instances, found the nests 
and eggs of this species in Scotland, upon the ground 
amongst the heather at the base of the Scotch fir, and 
sheltered by its overhanging branches, and in the near 
neighbourhood of an extensive forest. 
