Page:Natural History, Birds.djvu/235

 built upon an evergreen overhanging a walk, scarcely a yard above the heads of persons passing; there was a constant thoroughfare, the bird was hourly looked at, and even spoken to, still it persevered in its charge, and seemed to have confidence in being protected.

The food of the Ring-dove consists of grain of all kinds, pulse, especially peas, both ripe and green, and young leaves and shoots of clover; in autumn, acorns and beech-mast form an abundant supply, and when these are exhausted, the bird does not disdain winter-berries, and even the leaves of turnips and other green-crops, and the roots of various grasses and weeds. During the breeding season they unite in pairs, but at other times they associate in large flocks, which, however they wander during the day, resort at night to a common resting-place, by watching at which they are shot with ease, as the straggling parties successively arrive for the night's repose. Their flesh is in high esteem for its tenderness, juiciness, and flavour.

The nest, consisting only of a few sticks loosely laid across, is yet admirably calculated for the purpose of concealment. "How often," remarks Mr. Jesse, "have I observed the strong, rapid flight of a Wood-pigeon from a tree, and heard the noise produced by his wings, and yet have been unable to discover its nest! This has been owing to the deposits of dead leaves and small branches, which have been accumulated in various parts of the tree, and which have exactly the same appearance as the nest itself."