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THK COLLARED TURTLE-DOVE, {TURTUB BISORIUS.) 



BY MISS CATLOW. 



Observing in your journal an article on the materials used by Pigeons in 

 constructing their nests, I beg to offer you the following curious particulars 

 relative to two Ring-doves I had in a state of captivity for more than eight 

 years; they were hatched in a cage, and brought to me from Sussex, when 

 quite young. I had a large roomy cage for them, and being at the time a 

 great invalid, and confined to the house, I petted my pretty birds till they 

 became so tame as to leave their cage and fly about my room with the 

 greatest familiai*ity, even though a favourite dog was constantly by my side, 

 and attentively watching them. They would sit on my finger, eat out of my 

 hand and mouth, and perch on my shoulder and head; indeed they generally 

 chose the latter situation as soon as they left their cage. 



In the spring of the second year, they built their nest in a compartment 

 of their cage provided for the purpose, with twigs, which I cut from a birch 

 broom, for I was then residing in London, and could not conveniently pro- 

 cure fresh twigs for them. After the nest was made I found four eggs 

 laid, and then first knew that the birds were both females; but as T was 

 much attached to my pets, I did not part them. They sat very assiduously 

 on these eggs, taking the duty alternately, and both roosting together at 

 night, though the strongest generally contrived to cover all the eggs. At 

 the end of three weeks they abandoned them, and in the course of another 

 re-constructed their nest, and again deposited their eggs. 



This they continued seven or eight times every year; but what I wished 

 particularly to communicate to you is an account of the materials these birds 

 preferred for their house- building. Being so tame they were constantly on 

 my table, and on one occasion attempted to carry away a quantity of rather 

 coarse string which happened to lie there. It was a very droll sight to see 

 these pretty creatures carrying a long piece of string, each holding an end 

 in its beak; the struggles they made to take it from each other and fly 

 away, lasted some time, and their manoeuvres were very curious; but as they 

 could not manage it, I at last cut the string, and gave to each a piece, 

 which they eagerly took from my hand, deposited them in their box, and 

 then instantly returned for more, walking round my workbox and books, and 

 close to my hands, as if looking for a fresh supply. I gave them many short 

 bits, which they laid in due order on the twigs already in their nest. Every 

 day when the cage door was opened, they came to procure more, and in 

 short, it seemed to become a mania with them, for if there was any string 

 lying within sight of their cage, they were never easy till it was .given to 

 them. After this they entirely refused twigs, even when placed in the cage 

 for them, I should not omit to state that they invariably shook the string 

 violently for several minutes, before placing it in the cage, just as they had 



VOL. II. T 



