P)actical Bird-Keeping. — III. Pigeons and Doves. 165


more slender, and it has somewhat the same tyrannical dis¬

position. Its colour is a soft drab, with a broad white band

running down the wing. The eye is bright orange surrounded

by a beautiful patch of bare sky-blue skin. The neck is metallic

with purple and brass sheen.


We now come to the sub-family of the Turtle ( Turlurinee ),

beginning with the familiar


Barbary Turtle Dove {Turtur risorius').


This dove is too well-known to need much description, and

yet in spite of its being so common—a pair can be bought for

two shillings—it is always beautiful in its coat of cream with

black collar and bright red eyes. These birds have become so

domesticated, like the Canary, that no one would think of them

at the present day in the light of an imported foreign bird. They

breed almost too easily in captivity, using any site or material ;

they are very long-lived, and can be very readily tamed. I have

kept some for years as foster parents for hatching rarer doves

eggs, but I never found them a great success in this way ; they

seem to find out they are being imposed upon and their interest

in the strange young when hatched is generally short-lived. A

pure white variety is known as the Java Dove.


The Madagascar Turtle Doye (Tmtnr picturatus').


This is a rare dove, and has not so far been kept by many

aviculturists. It is grey on the head and face with a checked

hinder neck, while its body is maroon and brown. In shape it is

strong and sturdy, though not a large bird.


Half-Collared Turtle Dove (Turtur semitorquatus).


A fine large bird, vinous colour (in varying shades) all

over. The tip of the head and forehead whitish grey. It has a

black hind collar with a narrow grey edge ; the eyes are red.


Damara Turtle Dove (Turtur damarensis).


Very like the Barbary Turtle, but much greyer and smaller

and with dark eyes instead of red. It is a common bird in its

own land, but seldom imported to this country.


The Dwarf or Ruddy Turtle Dove (Tiirhir humilis).


A beautiful little dove, very small compared to any

previously described, trim and graceful in shape. The sexes are



