THE COLI.\RED TURTFJi.* 385 



O 



From a very remote period this sjpecies appears to have been domesticated, or rather 

 kept in that state of captivity in which it is retained at the present day. It is still 

 abundant in Egypt and other parts of the East, where it is fostered and cultivated with 

 care ; and it is certain that many of the representations in the works, of ancient art, 

 where the dove figures as the emblem of tenderness and aifection, or where it is depicted 

 as the appropriate attendant of Venus, are accurate delineations of the collared or 

 domestic turtle. This bird does not appear to be susceptible of that attachment to its 

 home, or place of birth, for which the common or dove-cote pigeon is remarkable, and 

 which peculiar quality renders that species so serviceable to man. On the contrary, like 

 its congener, the common or wild European turtle [Tiirtur commuim), it cannot be left 

 to range at perfect liberty, without the danger of its flying away to return no more, and 

 must therefore be kept constantly contined, either in cages or in aviaries adapted for the 

 purpose. 



In this state of captivity, if propcrlj^ attended to, it breeds with facility, sometimes 

 producing as many as eight broods within the year ; but, being a native of warm 

 climates, and very impatient of cold, it is- seldom cultivated to the same extent in this 

 country as it is in those where the temperature is better adapted to its constitution. The 

 male shows great tenderness and affection to its mate, and is constantly by her side, 

 soothing her with caresses, or paying ^.his court by soft cooing notes, and that peculiar 

 cry so expressive of laughter, and from which it takes its specific name. In its wild or 

 natural state, it is found in various parts of Africa ; and specimens have been obtained 

 from the southern part of that continent, a description of which, as varying in depth and 

 intensity of colour from the domestic variety, is here subjoined. The length is about ten 

 inches. The chin is whitish ; from the corners of the mouth to the eyes is a narrow 

 streak of black. The forehead is pale bluish-gray ; the crown darker ; the cheeks, neck, 

 breast and bellj% gJ'^y, tinged with vinjiceous or pale purplish-red ; the hind neck with 

 a demi-collar of black, some of the side feathers composing it being tipped with white. 

 The back scapulars and rump are of a pale clove-brown, with a greenish tinge. The 

 margins of the wings, the greater coverts and under wing-coverts are blue-gray. The 

 greater quills are hair-brown, delicately edged with grayish-white. The tail is slightly 

 rounded, the two middle feathers entirely clove-brown, the remainder on each side with 

 the basal half-black. The tips bluish-gray, except those of the two outermost, which are 

 white. The vent and under tail-coverts are white ; the legs and feet gray ; the inner toe 

 a little longer than the outer. In its natural state this bird inhabits the woods, where it 

 breeds, making a nest similar to that of the common turtle, and lays two white eggs. It 

 seeks its food in the open grounds, and subsists upon grain, grass-seeds, pidse, &c. It is 

 easily distinguished, and the place of its retreat soon discovered, by its cooing notes, one 

 of which we have already stated to resemble thehmnan laugh. A mixed breed is some- 

 times obtained between this species and the common wild turtle, but the progeny are 

 invariably mules, and incapable of further increase ; a fact that has heen established by 

 many careful and oft-repeated experiments, and one which affords a strong argimient 

 against the supposition, that many of the varieties of the common pigeon, or of the 

 domestic fowl, are the result of a mixture of different species. 



Besides the wild turtle, known to us as a regular summer visitant in the southern 

 districts of England, there are the Cohnnha macuUcoUk, and the Cohimba aurita of Tem- 

 minck, and several others belonging to the group, of \^'hich the present species may be 

 considered a type. 



* Tiu'tui' lUsoiius. 



2 c 



