10S On Foreign Doves.


and lacks the white in the face. I have found this dove per¬

fectly harmless towards others of its tribe, indeed rather timid

than otherwise. It seems somewhat susceptible to cold, and once

I found one of my cocks moaning and almost unconscious on the

aviary floor one bitter morning. The poor thing could not

stand, and I hurried with it to my heated aviary, put it on the

warm pipes, and gave it brandy and water. Gradually it ceased

moaning and could hold up its head, and in a few hours was

cpiite recovered. In the birds’ medicine chests, which should be

in every aviary, it is as well to always keep a small quantity of

brand}'. It may be wanted for a bird in a great emergency—

when delay might mean loss of life to the sufferer.


BRONZE-NECKED DOVE.


This bird is very like the well-known Aurita Dove, but

has much more metallic reflection ou the neck than the latter

bird. I bought my pair as Auritas, and they cost sixteen

shillings, but I am nearly sure they are Bronze-necked.* The

cock is a lovely chestnut brown and pinkish vinous on the breast,

shading into white. The back of the neck is very metallic, and

in the sunshine iooks like polished brass with violet reflections.

This dove is of short and plump build, and always looks smooth

and in good condition. I found my cock bird terribly quarrel¬

some with other doves. He even carried it so far as to wish to

retain the monopoly of the trap cage for himself and his wife,

refusing to allow the other doves to enter—which, as he was not

the bird I wanted to catch, was rather hard on me as well as ou

them. The note of this dove is a very mournful “ liaa, haa,”

repeated five times. The hen is very like the cock, but the neck

is not so bright.


AUSTRALIAN CRESTED PIGEON.


Ocyphaps lophotes.


This very handsome pigeon varies in price from fifteen

shillings and sixpence to twenty-eight shillings, or more, a pair.

The general colour is grey with a pinkish breast. On the wings

are bars of metallic colour (edged with white) and sometimes

appearing dark blue and green, in other lights purple and gold.


* From the description, we should say that this is Zenaida aurita.



