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Mis Rosie Alderson,



the earlier broods of young birds, but found, in spite of this,

that the aviary was too full. I gave 15s. for my pair of White-

winged Doves when newly imported.


THE BLEEDING-HEART DOVE.


Phlogamas luzonica.


It is said that at one time the natives of the Philippine

Isles, where this beautiful dove comes from, used to keep its

presence there a secret, so as to retain the monopoly of it to

themselves. I have at present six Bleeding-hearts, besides two

more that I am just sending to a friend. In colour the Bleeding-

heart is ash-grey, with darker bands crossing the wings. The

crown of the head is grey, the lower part of the face and throat

pure white, the breast whitish with a patch, irregular in shape, of

blood-red feathers. So realistic is it that visitors before now

have thought the bird was hurt. The back of the neck is as

metallic and changeful as the colours in an opal, a perfect glory

of green and blue. But no description can do the Bleeding-

heart justice. It must be seen to be admired as it deserves. It

is a tame dove, and yet a very timid one, for when frightened it

will run into a corner and try, like the Ostrich, to hide its head,

long after the imagined danger is past.


There is a beautiful old legend about the Bleeding-heart.

Long ages ago the Bleeding - hearts had all snowy breasts as

white as their throats, but at the Crucifixion one settled on the

Cross, and a Roman soldier shot it with an arrow in the breast.

Ever since then the birds have worn the “bleeding heart.” The

young birds are dear little creatures covered with dark chocolate

down and buff bars across the wings. They are not unlike a small

Woodcock in appearance, though the beak of course, as in all

young doves, is thick and heavy. The “ heart” first appears as a

slight streak of red when the bird is a few weeks old. This dove

costs from 20s. to 25s. each bird, and is only seldom in the

market. I thought, after much trouble, I had got a pair, for they

agreed so well, but I louud out both were cocks. I then

advertised for a hen, but got no response, nothing at all, except

a letter from a lady, a complete stranger to me, asking if I had a



