TURTLE DOVE. 173 
shot one in the garden of Jardine Hall, Dumfriesshire, and 
another was shot in Perthshire, so late as the 20th. of 
October, in the year 1834. ‘Two also in Aberdeenshire, one 
near Old Aberdeen, in August, in 1849, and the other in 
September, 1851, both of them young birds. In Orkney one 
was shot many years since, by Mr. Strang; another at 
Deernen, near Kirkwall; and one in Holm, in 1850. 
With us they are migratory, arriving in the spring the 
latter end of April, and departing the end of August or 
September. The males arrive before the females, and they 
appear to pair only for the season. 
They go in small flocks of some twenty in number, 
frequenting the open fields when feeding, and at other times 
resorting to woods. On their first arrival they are not shy, 
and may be easily approached; but when the nest-is begun, 
and afterwards, they become gradually more and more so. 
They frequent wooded districts, both hilly and flat. They 
may be kept in confinement, but in that state are quarrelsome 
with other birds. 
They roost in trees, among the concealment of the leaves. 
Their flight is airy and light. 
They feed on various kinds of grain and seeds, and are 
especially fond of peas, with which fields are sown; as also of 
the seeds of the fir tree, but all are sought for on the ground 
where they may have fallen; they also eat small snails, and 
swallow bits of stone, sand, or mortar. They are fond of 
drinking and bathing, and on this account frequent the 
neighbourhood of streams. 
The note resembles the syllables ‘tur, tur,’ more or less 
often repeated, and more or less quickly doubtless the origin 
of the name. 
The nest is carelessly constructed of a few twigs and sticks, 
and is placed in trees at no, great height from the ground— 
some ten or twenty feet—but well hidden among the foliage. 
It is, however, itself so slight, that the eggs may be seen 
through it. 
The eggs are two in cae and glossy white, of a narrow 
oval and rather pointed form. They are laid about the middle 
of May, and are hatched in sixteen or seventeen days. The 
female sits on the young, if the weather be cold, both night 
‘and day. Two and sometimes three broods are ‘produced in 
the year. The young soon learn to shift for themselves. 
Male; weight, rather more than six ounces; length, a trifle 
