] 2 Mr. A. Hangner on the Protective 



Newton mentions it in his admirable ' Dictionary of Birds.' 

 This dimorphism — not necessarily sexual — obtains in Buho 

 maculosus without a doubt. I have noticed a very fair 

 degree of difference in the tints of the various birds that 

 have come under my observation, and there are, or were 

 several specimens of this Owl in the Pretoria Zoological 

 Gardens which amply ilkistrate this fact. This, then, is a 

 further proof of my contention that this species DOES possess 

 protective resemblance. 



Order C OLUMB^. 



The Doves and Pigeons .ifFord another group of birds 

 seemingly well endowed with assimilative colouring. 



With reference to the Green Wood -Pigeon ( Vinago dela- 

 landi), Capt. Shelley has noticed the advantage this bird 

 derives from its protectively tinted plumage. Writing of 

 this species in the Eastern Cape Colony, Mrs. Barber says : — 

 " The colours of the Green Wood-Pigeon of the Transkeian 

 Country so closely resemble those of the fruit and foliage 

 of the wild fig {Finis S[).), their favourite fruit tree, that a 

 flight of them may be concealed amongst its branches 

 without being seen ; on anyone approaching the tree, the 

 birds being fully aware of the protection which their colours 

 afford them, remain perfectly motionless. A shot, however, 

 fired into the tree will send them flying in all directions. 

 The plumage of this Pigeon consists of beautiful shades of 

 green with red beak and legs ; these colours blend admirably 

 with those of the wild fig. The tree is an evergreen, and 

 bears fruit all the year round, this continually affording the 

 Green Wood-Pigeon not only food but also protection ; 

 because it is the home of those birds." 



I have repeatedly noticed how beautifully the slate and 

 drab tints of the majority of our Doves lend themselves to 

 the concealment of the birds. This is so with regard to 

 Turtur capicola and T. sevegalensis, and the fact is more 

 worthy of notice in winter when the mimosas have shed their 

 leaves ; the birds are even then most inconspicuous objects 



