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Miss Rosie Alderson,



almost invariably red or crimson. The story runs that the first

time the dove returned to the Ark it gave no indication as to the

state of the earth except by the olive branch in its beak. The

second time, however, that it returned, its feet were covered with

red mud, which proved that it had actually walked on earth that

was above the level of the waters. To record the event Noah

prayed that the feet of doves might ever after continue to be red,

and so from that day to this these birds have had red feet.


My pair of Damara Doves began to nest soon after they

came to me last March. The hen laid many eggs and sat well, but

always some accident occurred, either the eggs were broken or

tbe young birds came to grief. Once I reared the young ones

until they were out of the nest. They were exceedingly prett) 7 ,

such soft, gentle-looking little creatures, and much more graceful

than the generality of young doves. One poor little thing was

found pecked to death early one morning, the supposed culprit

being a bad-tempered Necklaced dove, who had a great dislike

to the young one’s parents. The second young bird I also lost

shortly afterwards, but hope this year to be more successful.


THE DIAMOND DOVE.


Gcopelia cuneata.


This is a very tiny dove compared to those previously

described. It is a very graceful little bird with a long slender

tail. In colour ash grey with white spots dotted over the wings.

Some specimens I have seen had almost a brownish tinge, but

the ash grey colouring is much the prettier shade. The eyes,

and a patch of bare skin surrounding them, are red, which gives

just the touch of colour needed to complete the beauty of this

attractive little dove. I nave seen a pair of Diamond Doves

offered for sale at about 15/-, but this is an exceedingly low price,

and the usual one is from 21/- a pair and upwards. My pair of

Diamonds built many nests and raised my hopes time after time,

but alas! my nests were only for “squatting” in. The little

couple would sit on one of these structures for weeks at a time,

until I really began to think they must have some eggs, but each

time I was disappointed. The cock Diamond Dove looks very



