266 Mr. H. F. Witherhy— Ornithological 



77. TuRTUR COMMUNIS Sclby. 



We did not observe the Common Turtle-Dove south of 

 Gerazi, but theuce northwards it was numerous. Large 

 numbers frequented some trees within two miles of Khartum 

 on our way up on March 21st, and there was a fairly large 

 flock at the same spot on our return on May 15th, when we 

 obtained specimens. 



We did not observe Turtiir arenicola. 



Adult. Iris hazel; bill black; legs and feet purplish red. 



78. TuRTUR AMBIGUUS BoC. 



By the kindness of Mr. Hartert, who obtained the loan of 

 the type of this species from Prof. Barboza du Bocage in 

 Lisbon, I have been able to compare my specimens and others 

 with it. 



My four examples and those from Khartum in the 

 Brehm collection (now at Tring) have the wings a little 

 longer, and the white tips to the rectrices considerably wider, 

 than those of the type. 



It is curious that all the specimens in the British Museum 

 (viz. two from Tette on the Zambesi, one from the Sobat, and 

 one from the Blue Nile) agree with the type from Benguela 

 so far as the white tips to the rectrices are concerned. Their 

 wings vary slightly in length, but this is entirely due, I 

 consider, to abrasion. 



Exceedingly abundant, except within 20 miles of Khar- 

 tum, where it became rarer. This species and the next, 

 with which it consorts, formed one of our staple dishes. In 

 the south of our route they were so common and tame, and 

 clustered so thickly on certain trees, that on several occasions 

 we killed 14 and 16 at a "family*^ shot, while 5 or 6 was 

 no unusual return for a single cartridge. All the Pigeons 

 we observed were great drinkers, and flock after flock used 

 to rush down to the river regularly morning and evening. 

 Returning from it in the evening, they often rose to a great 

 height, and circling round, suddenly plunged down headlong, 

 like our Wood-Pigeons, into the trees used as roosting- 

 places. The ground under their perches is often white with 

 droppings. 



