174 GARDEN AND AVIARY BIRDS. 



Overcrowding, however, must bo ^uai'ded against, or 

 the birds will spoil each other's appearance by conti- 

 nual fighting. 



The male when courting, inflates his neck and bows 

 to the female, dragging his closed tail on the ground, and 

 uttering a note like " coo-kur-roo." which to nie is verv 

 pleasing, though some people find it painfidly monotonous, 

 as the bird coos a great deal even when not " playing up " 

 to the female. She also coos, at any rate when 

 alone. This Dove also has a nasal laughing note, uttered 

 whenever it settles on a perch, and also by the male 

 when pursuing the female before he settles down to coo 

 to her. At such times he hops instead of walking in the 

 usual way, and runs the last laugh into the first coo in the 

 most ridiculous way, trying to say two things at once ! 



The general shape and courtmg positions of the wild 

 Turtle-doves are very similar ; they may also often be 

 seen to fly up straight into the air for a few yards and 

 come sailing down again with wings and tail outspread, 

 a very pretty feat which the domestic bird practically 

 never has a chance of performing, although I have seen 

 a very tame old cock I had in England do it when I let 

 him out in the open. But letting out l)ii(ls like these 

 would be too risky an experiment in India. 



The wild Rincj-Dove (Turtur risorius) bears a very 

 great resemblance to the tame bird, but is considerably 

 darker in colour, being drab instead of pale fawn running 

 into pinkish grey on the head and neck. It is about 

 the same size, but slightly more delicate in form, and 

 altogether certainly looks as if it miuht well bo the 



