104



Dr. E. Hopkinson



which they then make the ordinary flimsy platform which suffices

for so many Doves. In every case, however, the breeding takes place

in the immediate neighbourhood of man and his dwellings, and in

most places, as the guests of the community, they enjoy absolute

immunity from pillaging boys.


One hardly ever sees any number together : they are practi¬

cally always in pairs, and are seemingly among the most constant of

mates. They have two distinct notes—one a coo, the other a sort of

chuckle.


In size they are rather smaller and slimmer than the Ring-

neck Dove—104 in. as against 11 in. The plumage is greyish-pink

above, washed in places with chestnut; the flights are dull brown,

the wing-coverts rufous internally, grey externally. The upper tail-

coverts are dark grey ; the two central tail-feathers are very dark

grey, almost black, the others paler grey and tipped with white,

these white tips being larger on the under surface than on the upper.

The chin, throat and upper breast are vinous, and round the sides

and front of the neck is a collar of bifid black feathers which are

tipped with reddish-mauve. The lower chest and sides are slaty-

blue, fading into v T hite on the belly and under tail-coverts. The above

refers to the male ; the female is similar, but the colours are duller

and the pattern less distinct. In the young they are still more so,

the greater part of the plumage being more or less washed with

brown.


The irides are brown, the eyelids dull red in the adult, grey

just tinged with reddish in younger birds. The bill slate tinged with

purplish, the legs dark red.


Rufous-winged Wood-Dove ( Turtur afro ).


Golumba afra. Linn.


Turtur afra. Bodd., 1783.


Ibis, 1912, p. 34, plate.


Range : West Africa.


This Dove is, or was, commonly known among dealers as the

“Emerald Dove”; but this is a bad name (except perhaps for

advertisement purposes), as it is based on the metallic spots to be



