The Stock Dove — Columba œnas, Linnæus
The Stock Dove is rather smaller and considerably less common than the previous species, but is nevertheless by no means uncommon in England, and has greatly increased of late years, especially in Scotland. In Ireland it is still a rare and local species. The name “Stock Dove” is not due, as many erroneously suppose, to its being the race from which our domestic Pigeons spring, but to its habit of nesting in the stocks and boles of old timber. Such places are, however, by no means exclusively used, for it also nests in caves, ledges of cliffs, and rabbit-burrows. Otherwise its habits are not materially different from those of the Wood Pigeon. As a rule it goes about in pairs, and large flocks are never met with, even when migrating from its more northerly breeding quarters.
It is a smaller and duller bird than the Wood Pigeon, lacking the white spot on the neck; while the vinous purple on the breast is not nearly so bright. There are traces of two indistinct wing bars. Length 13·5 in.; wing 8·8 in.