332 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



species and several closely allied forms. The present 

 species breeds in India from the Central Provinces 

 northwards to the lower ranges of the Himalayas (4000 

 to 60CO feet), from Afghanistan to Sikhim ; it is also 

 known to do so in South-eastern Siberia, and possibly 

 in Mongolia, Thibet, and Northern China. Whether it 

 breeds in Japan is by no means clear. 



Breeding habits : In most parts of its northern 

 area of dispersal the Eastern Turtle Dove is migratory, 

 and even in the south is subject apparently to much 

 local movement during the non-breeding season. Capt. 

 Hutton states that it arrived in its summer quarters at 

 Mussoorie in April, leaving again in October. In its 

 habits it is not known to differ in any important respect 

 from the nearly allied European Turtle Dove. It 

 probably pairs for life, but makes a new nest for each 

 brood. It cannot be regarded as gregarious during the 

 breeding season, but numbers of pairs nest within com- 

 paratively small areas of suitable country, and as soon 

 as the young are reared the birds begin to flock. Its 

 favourite haunts are wooded mountain sides, pine forests, 

 groves and clusters of trees. The note in the breeding 

 season is described as a thrice-repeated guttural coo, and 

 unlike that of other Doves. The nest is generally placed 

 not far from the extremity of a horizontal branch, and 

 is a circular, flat, mat-like structure of neatly-arranged 

 twigs, the cavity in the centre being somewhat deep. 

 Hume states that the nest is rather more substantial 

 than that of many other Turtle Doves. Of the actions 

 of the birds at the nest I find nothing of special interest 

 recorded. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Eastern Turtle Dove are two in number, 

 oval in form, glossy, and pure white. Average measure- 

 ment, 1-2 inch in length, by -92 inch in breadth. Incu- 



