45 



once more this season. If Virginians could be easily- 

 reared they would be quite a profitable speculation, 

 for some imported this spring have been advertised at 

 72/6 per pair. Although I have tried various methods 

 with them, I cannot claim to have solved the problem.' 

 The best method, however, is, I think, to place the 

 young the very day they leave the nest in a warm box- 

 cage, with bars wide enough apart to allow of the 

 parents feeding them, and let them remain there a 

 month. Then bring them indoors and give plenty of 

 mealworms, until they are well on seed. 



The chief difficulties with this species are that the 

 young leave the nest insufficiently feathered, so that 

 a very little rain or cold kills them ; and further that, 

 although they grow well, they have no constitution. 



My Diamond Doves were nesting continuously 

 throughout April, May, and June, and never failed to 

 rear all they hatched (see plate). Doves are not 

 favourites of mine, but this species is so graceful and' 

 dainty and easy to breed that it can be recommended 

 to anyone. I removed the male bird once, as an ex- 

 periment, but the hen brought up the young without 

 the least difiiculty. The nest is so exceedingly small 

 that, as soon as the young are a week old they com- 

 pletely fill it, leaving no room whatever for their 

 parent, so the latter is compelled to stand on a branch 

 outside the nest and covers them with much apparent 

 inconvenience. Although aviary- bred Diamond 

 Doves do not sell very well, still they are one of the 

 very few species that may be considered profitable to 

 keep. I have parted with mine now, and find that I 

 quite miss their mellow call-note and the charming 

 display of the male. 



