INDIAN TURTLE-DOVE 201 



It probably has two, or perhaps even three, broods during the year, 

 though there is as yet no direct evidence on this point. 



The eggs, which are the usual two in number, do not differ in any respect, 

 except size, from other Doves' eggs. Gates gives the average of twenty-one 

 eggs as 1.22 in. by .93 in. ( = 30.9 by 23.5 mm.), and the extremes in length 

 as 1.1 in. to 1.34 in. ( = 27.9 to 34.0 mm.), and in breadth .85 to 1 in. 

 ( = 21.6 to 25.4 mm.). 



The eggs in my own collection come within the above measurements. 



This Dove breeds principally between 3,500 and 8,000 ft., whereas 

 the Rufous Turtle-Dove breeds exclusively over the latter height, and 

 generally between 8,000 and 12,000 ft. altitude. 



The Indian Turtle-Dove seems to keep, both in its breeding haunts 

 and those visited on migration, much to well-forested and well-watered 

 tracts, and to prefer such as are a combination of cultivated areas and 

 patches of jungle or orchard. At the same time, provided the water 

 supply is ample, they may be found in considerable numbers in stretches 

 of rice and wheat country where there is no real jungle, though there 

 may be plenty of mango and other orchards. 



They are almost entirely grain and seed feeders, though doubtless 

 they also feed on fruit to some extent, and also at odd times on tiny snails 

 though, it always seems to me, these may have been picked up by the 

 birds in mistake for seeds. Like most Doves they drink regularly morning, 

 noon and evening, and seem to take a lot each time they drink. When 

 there is sand or grit and small pebbles close by, they generally pick 

 some up during the intervals of drinking. 



They are very active on foot, and obtain most of their food on the 

 ground, running in and out of the wheat or rice stubble with consider- 

 able speed. 



Their flight is in no way distinct from that of the other subspecies, 

 and their note is a loud deep "coo," trisyllabic like that of the rest. 



Dm'ing their migrations, and shortly before they commence, the 

 Indian Turtle-Doves collect in very large flocks, often numbering a 

 hundred or more individuals, but at other times, though very sociable, 

 the flocks break up and the birds go about either in pairs or singly, 

 generally the former. 



