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With care and attention the cock quite recovered ; he is

a good deal larger than the hen, and the sheen on his neck is

much brighter.


The Wliite-winged Dove comes from America and the

West Indies. In colour it is a soft drab, and whitish on the

under parts. The long quill feathers in the wings are dark

brownish black ; and when the wing is in repose there is a very

decided broad white band down it, from which the Dove

evidently derives its name. The feet are bright crimson. On

the neck there is a lovely purple and gold sheen, very beautiful

when seen in the sunlight. Below the ear is a small slanting

black mark. The eyes are bright orange and surrounded by a

sky blue skin which adds greatly to the beauty of the bird.


In the aviary where I have my White-winged are also a

pair of Shamahs and a pair each of Necklace, Senegal and

Bleeding Heart Doves. The size of the aviary is 16ft. by 6ft. 6in.

All these Doves have reared young ones this season, though they

took a little time to each settle in their particular corner. I

think really three pairs of Doves would be quite enough in an

aviary of this size, as when the young birds leave the nest the

place becomes rather full.


About the middle of May, the White-winged began to

nest. They sat well for some time, then forsook the nest,

apparently for no reason ; both eggs were fertile. A second nest

met with the same fate ; and I began to think the birds would do

no good, for they seemed to tire of sitting some time before the

eggs were due to hatch. During this time the cock began to get

very aggressive towards the other doves. He never really

harmed any of them, but used to chase them about. Towards

the end of June a third nest was made, and this time the birds

sat very well. On July 9th I found an empty egg shell on the

aviary floor, and a few days later a pair of fine young ones could

be seen quite plainly. They were very pretty little creatures,

soft drab with brown eyes ; and the white in the tail, and the

band on the wings was very decided. By July 22nd, the first

young one came out of the nest. It was now about a fortnight

old, and between 7 and 8 inches in length, and very long and

slender for its width. Both this young one and the second

(which appeared a day or two later) seemed rather weak in the

feet. It is a great help to young birds just out of the nest to put

a shallow wooden box, without a lid, partially filled with hay,

on the floor. The young bird may not stay in the box. but it

will be very happy sitting on the edge ; and after the warm nest



