WOOD-PIGEON.
COLUMBA PALUMBUS.
THE l i f t ruction of birds of prey, combined with the larger extent of ground of late years devoted to plantations,
is supposed to account for the rapid increase in the numbers of the Wood-l'igrun. Daring and
tlif following year, while stud; ini; tannin:- in I! i-: 1. .ilmn. t met with ample opportunities fur observing the
immense gatherings of these birds occasionally witnessed in autumn and early winter. The loss caused by
the countless swarms in various parts of the country could not be denied, though had there been a poeaQnllty
of closely watching and studying their habits at all times and seasons it would doubtless have been discovered
that considerable atonement was made for their misdeeds. In order to scare the Hocks it was the custom In
many parts to employ herds armed with some antiquated fowling-piece and a supply of powder; wee laddies,
sons of labourers on the farm, were not unfrequently entrusted with the work, and the value of their services
in protecting the crops from plunder may readily be estimated. Though invariably on the alert awaiting
the arrival of the Dous ' while the farmer or the griuvef were in sight, these precocious youths, having
provided themselves with shut, passed most of their time in endeavouring to circumvent the hares or
Pheasants that strayed from the coverts.
The high standard of farming in this locality dues not permit the presence in the corn-erops of the
rank weeds that prove so attractive to the Wood-Pigeon in many less favoured districts, consequently the
agriculturists, having few chances of ascertaining its redeeming qualities, failed In appro-iile the species,
and made strenuous efforts to reduce its numbers. As far as 1 was able to judge, the thousands that were
stated to have been killed by flic association formed for their destruction appeared to have but slight clfeet in
checking the evil.
In the south of England I have heard hut few grave charges brought against these birds by the farmers,
and it is obvious that much of their sustenance consists of worthless seeds and berries. The lieceh-plautaiions
on the chalky downs of Sussex are a favourite resort fortius species, and flocks varying from liliy lo oae
hundred mav occasionally be seen, though, according to my own experience, the birds are never met w ith in
this locality in anything approaching the numbers observed in the south of Scotland. Shortly before harvest
Wood-Pigeons may often be seen Hying in small parties to the fields uf wheat or barley; after wheeling
round for a time the birds will disappear from view in the slaudiug corn. An examination of the state of
the ground on which they were lust sight of would doubtless cause astonishment tu those who imagined that
the birds were in pursuit of grain : on rcaehiag the spot it would be discovered that for a considerable space
the crop was exceedingly scanty, completely chuked, in fact, by a muss of weeds rank and strong, whose seeds,
well nigh ripe, had proved the sole attraction.
A small tribute, however, is annually levied on the field-peas shortly before they are carried, and turnip