198 The Turtle Dove. 
the wheat-fields while the grain has been in a milky 
state for the purpose of devouring it: this I have never 
known to be the case. I have shot several from such 
places, but have found. their food to consist chiefly of 
chickweed-seeds. These birds are very partial to 
places, and are not easily frightened. Clover-fields, 
where trefoil and ripe grass-seeds abound, are very | 
favourite places, to which they pay daily visits, also 
to a particular kind of vetch-seed and field-peas. 
The flight of this bird is rapid, and resembles that 
of the missel thrush so closely, that at a distance, if 
the bird is not flying across the sight, it is difficult to 
decide which of the two it is. These beautifully marked 
birds remain with us only a few months, during which 
time they pair and rear their young, which are strong 
enough to join their parents in their southern journey 
by the latter end of August. The note of this bird 
can be very nearly sounded by pronouncing five or six 
r-r-r-r-r's in a rolling manner by the tongue quivering 
at the end in one breath, which will last four or five 
seconds. The Turtle Dove is an inhabitant of Europe, 
Asia, and Africa. It arrives in England about the end 
