Sitcccssful Breeding of tlic Isabcllinc Turtle Dove. 231 



Successful Breeding of the Isabelline Turtle Dove. 



(Turtur isabeUiniis). 



By H. Bright, F.Z.S. 



The lsal:>elHne Turtle Dove bears a strong resemblance 

 o the Wild Turtle Dove (1\ turtur). but is of a warmer colour- 

 ation and presents an even more pleasing appearance. 



Dcseription : Entire head, back of neck sandy -brown 

 (isabelline); upper back fawn-colour; lower back, rump, and 

 upper tail-coverts dark fawn-colour, the feathers of the lower 

 back with dtisky centres; wings cinnamon-brown; under parts 

 vinotis-brown; abdomen and ventral region white; tail: central 

 feathers dusky-brown, broadly tipped with brown, remaining 

 feathers blackish-brown, Ijroadly tipped whitish fawn-colour 

 On the sides of the neck are two blackish patches variegated 

 with fawn-colour, and the neck is flushed with refulgent vinous 

 pink. Bare skin round the eyes red; legs and feet red. Total 

 length 11^ inches, of which the tail meastires nearly 5 inches 

 (approx. 47-^in.), 



The female is slightly duller, more slenderly built, and the 

 ashy-wash on the sides of body and back more distinct than in 

 the male. 



Juvenal plumage, very similar to adults, but paler, and 

 *he underparts are sandy-brown; no neck ])atches. 



It is a native of N.E. Africa, and is a very pretty and 

 handsome dove. 



1 obtained these 1)irds from Mr. Rogers, of Liverpool, 

 who, 1 believe, got them from the Giza Zoo at Cairo. There 

 were four of this species among various other doves, and I 

 liked them so well that I brought them away with me. On my 

 arrival home, the weather l)eing warm and fine, I selected what 

 T felt sure were a true pair, and turned them into my large 

 aviary — I had no hesitation in doing this, as the birds were in 

 I)erfect condition and plumage. 



The outward difference between the sexes being infinit- 

 esimal, I first picked out, as a hen, the smallest and slimmest 

 bird of the four, and then took the largest and boldest of the 

 other three, and felt pretty sure that T had picked out a true 

 l-vair, and later events proved this to be correct. The other two 



