the Birds of Humansdorp. 127 



Laughing Dove (^Turtur senegalensis). — Yerj common in 

 certain parts of the district, especially along the Gamtoos 

 River. The nest is a small platform ot' twigs in a bush or 

 tree. Eggs two in number, pure whil:e. 



Breeding season Septemljer to March. 



Tambourine Dove ( Tympanistria tijnijitunstria). — Common 

 along the Gamtoos River, where it is usnnlly found perched 

 in the castoi-oil trees or on the oround under the trees 

 picking up the castor-oil seed. 



The nest is a small platform of twigs in a low bush or tree. 



Breeding season November to February. 



It lays two white eggs. 



Emerald-spotted Dove {Chalcopella a/m). — Common in 

 the bushveld and bushy kloofs. The nest is a small plat- 

 form of twigs in a low bush or tree. Like the other Doves 

 it lays two white eggs. 



Breeding season November to February. 



NamaqUxI Dove {(Ena capensis). — Common in a few 

 localities. The only nest I have seen was a small platform 

 of twigs, on a bush fence, in the Oudtshoorn district ; 

 December 1896. There were two white eggs in the nest. 



Knysxa Plantain-eater (Turacus corythali'). — Common 

 in the forests and bushy kloofs. About Hankey they are 

 very destructive in the apple-orchards. The nest is a plat- 

 form of sticks in a dense tree or bush about ten or fifteen 

 feet from the ground. 



Breeding season November to February. 



It lays two to three pure white shiny eggs. 



Black-headed Coucal (Centropus hurchelli). — Very 

 common. It builds a domed nest of sticks, rushes, and 

 coarse grass, usually in a thick bush, near the ground, but 

 I found one nest in the top of an orange-tree about ten feet 

 fi'om the ground. 



Breeding season October to February. 



It lays from three to five white eggs. 



