3 ROCK-DOVE.
The ledgo on which their cradle WW placed proved to bo in an exceedingly filthy condition, Rock-Dares
evidently disregarding all sanitary precautions.
Dried stalks of heather, with a few of the finer twigs and fibres of roots, had been used in the construction
of the nest, which, after the manner of the surroundings, was smeared with dirt and highly odoriferous.
The beaks of the juveniles were of a dull livid lead-tint, with small white knobs showing at the base;
the legs and feet a livid ilesli-tint. The plumage, including the markings on the wings, resembled that
of the adults, but of course without the gloss on the feathers and the bright metallic tints, the white
rump being especially conspicuous. A quantity of yellow hairy bristles or down showed among the
scanty feathers on the head, neck, and throat, the latter being almost naked.
TURTLE-DO V E.
COLUMBJ TURTUR.
Tut Turtle-Dovo is one of the latest of our summer migrauts to reach the British Islands, the first week in
May linviug usually arrived Wore these birds make their np]>cnrance on our shores. But a short season is
passed in this country, the majority taking their departure early in September, not a single individual having
come under my observation after the end of that month.
In Sussex the Turtle-Dove is exceedingly plentiful, nesting in most of the wooded districts, as well as in
considerable numbers in the shehered valleys of the Suuth Downs. In Surrey and Middlesex it appears
equally abundant; when at school at Harrow I frequently noticed the birds breeding in Ihc woods and
plantations in the neighbourhood. The broad-district of Norfolk does not appear to offer any great attraction
to this species; a few pairs, however, may occasionally be found where a sufficient quantity of timber exists to
meet their requirements. I u the summer of l i s t I remarked an old bird, accompanied by a couple of young
ones which had evidently just left the nest, in a damp and swampy alder-car near Ludhnm. iarly on the
morning of May HI, 1671, several small parties of Doves were observed living over Breydou mud-flats, heading
towards the north-west; one or two 1 shot were in an exceedingly bright slate of plumage, .fudging by
their movement*, it is most probable, though late in the season, that these Hocks were still on their way to
more northern quarters. In the neighbourhood uf Doueaster, in Yorkshire, I remember shooting a few
Turtlc-Doves many years ago during autumn; the keepers, however, were umicquairiti'd with the specie-,
which possibly did not breed in the district. Willi the exception of a pair seen Hying along the rocks betWBBi
Canty Boy and Scacliife, on the shores of the Filth of Forth, early in May 1W4, I never met with the Turtle-
Dove in Scotland. As far ns 1 was able to ascertain, the bird was unknown to either keepers or gillies
among whom inquiries were made in the Highlands.
A few of the complaints brought against the Wood-I'igis.u as to damage inflicted on the crops are also
laid to the charge of this species; in no pari of the country, however, is the bird sufficiently numerous
to render its presence objectionable. From frequent observations on their habits, I am fully convinced that
our handsome rammer visitors make ample reparation for the small amount of plunder that falls to their
share; this is more especially the case in those ports of the country, unfortunately too numerous, where the
fanning operations arc somewhat slovenly. There is little doubt that the seeds of numberless rank and
injurious plants are consumed by Doves; the grain also littered in the harvest-field- goes a considerable
Way towards making up their humble bUl of fare. Iu company with Wood-l'igeons 1 have frequently seen
these birds, shortly before harvest, resorting to those portions of the corn-fields where a profusion of widely
spreading weeds had choked the grain and can-cd a failure in the crop.
Doves often moke their way to the sea-shore on the coast of Sussex dining the heal of summer \ constant
(lights may also be seen crossing the marshes towards the rivers up which the tide HOWS, As numberless
dykes are passed at which their thirst might lie appeased, it is doubtless the salt iu the water that proves thu