2T,2 Successful Brccdiiii^ of the Isabcllinc Turilc Dove. 



I put into another aviary, and 1 feel sure they are both of the 

 same sex, as they have never shown the least inclination to pair, 

 nor make any attempt to construct a nest. I believe them 

 :o be males. 



The pair in the large aviary settled down almost at once, 

 and in about a fortnight I saw the cock driving" the hen about 

 and displaying to her, but, at first, she took but little notice 

 of him — she evidently had not fully got over the importation 

 journey and change of home, but the male persisted, and a little 

 later I saw her carrying small twigs into a clump of elder 

 bushes, in the forks of which they constructed a fairly substan- 

 tial nest of stout twigs for the base, and finer twigs on top. 

 The hen laid almost inunediately, and in due course hatched 

 out two squabs, which were fully reared. They remained in 

 'he nest until they were fully feathered, and there was barely 

 room for both. I looked at them several times and began to 

 v/onder when they would venture out, for they appeared as well 

 grown as their parents. Eventually I saw one young bird 

 perching" in the elder quite close to the nest. When at last they 

 began to go about the aviary they were able to do so as easily 

 ■is their parents. This is quite different to most species of 

 doves, as the young mostly leave the nest at a very early age, 

 and, being somewhat helpless at tirst, losses are not uncommon, 

 and I was gratified that the Isabellines were wiser than most 

 of their kind. 



The parent birds soon brought them over to the seed tray, 

 and they started at once to pick up seed for themselves. 



Without loss of time the hen laid again in the same nest, 

 and brought out another pair of strong young doves as before. 



They at once went to nest again, as before occupying 

 the original nest, and brought out another pair of equally strong- 

 young birds, though the weather was then quite cold, with 

 much rain. 



Just before the above pair was hatched I wanted to send 

 a pair away to a friend, and had great trouble in picking them 

 (;ut, owing to the adult hen l)eing in moult and the earlier 

 youngsters with the adult plumage all but complete. 



When the young left the nest they lacked the dark bodv 

 markings and neck patches of the adults and their plumage 

 generally was paler than tii;it of their parents. 



