The old birds had been observed
to make sad havoc for some days among the new-flown swallows
and martins, which, being but lately out of their nests, had not
acquired those powers and command of wing that enable them,
when more mature, to set such enemies at defiance.
Letter XLIV
To Thomas Pennant, Esquire
Selborne, Nov. 30, 1780.
Dear Sir,
Every incident that occasions a renewal of our correspondence will
ever be pleasing and agreeable to me.
As to the wild wood-pigeon, the oenas, or vinago, of Ray, I am
much of your mind; and see no reason for making it the origin of
the common house-dove: but suppose those that have advanced
that opinion may have been misled by another appellation, often
given to the oenas, is that of stock-dove.
Unless the stock-dove in the winter varies greatly in manners from
itself in summer, no species seems more unlikely to be
domesticated, and to make an house-dove. We very rarely see the
latter settle on trees at all, nor does it ever haunt the woods; but the
former, as long as it stays with us, from November perhaps to
February, lives the same wild life with the ring-dove, palumbus
torquatus; frequents coppices and groves, supports itself chiefly by
mast, and delights to roost in the tallest beeches.
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