EGYPTIAN TURTLE-DOVE 93 



a model of connubial affection I really do not know, 

 but it has, and I suppose it will be treated as a sort 

 of sacred symbol to the end of time. 



This particular Egyptian Turtle-dove is also 

 sometimes called the Palm-dove ; a good name, as it 

 is always to be found wherever there are palm trees ; 

 on them it roosts and in their branches it nests. 

 When flying it opens its tail wide, and then shows 

 the broad white and lilac-grey of those side feathers 

 which when sitting are all hidden away under the 

 two central dull brown tail feathers. Its flight 

 through and among trees is very rapid and tortuous, 

 and it is perhaps when in the dense clump of palm 

 trees that it is most interesting, as it is so tame 

 that it allows of a close approach. In any of 

 the palm groves, and palms are everywhere in 

 Egypt, the bird lover will be able to learn some- 

 thing of this very Oriental Dove. The first thing 

 he will note is that clearly some of the many that 

 are flying here and there, and feeding on the ground 

 around him, are quite young birds, even though it 

 may be December or January, and it is certain that 

 this true inhabitant of warm sunny Egypt has two 

 broods at least in the year. 



