356 COLUMBID^. 



1 found two uests at Milana, 18 miles from Deesa, on the 18th 

 and 20th September respectively. I saw another uest on the side 

 of the road to Ahmedabad on the 15th October." 



Mr. J. E. Cripps, writing from Furreedpore in Eastern Bengal, 

 says : — " Excessively common and a permanent resident. In 

 several instances I have found its nests well concealed in cane- 

 brakes and bushes ; the majority of nests, however, are well exposed 

 to view on bushes, bamboo-clumps, and small trees, and never at 

 any great height from the ground. It is a wonder how they ever 

 rear any young ones, considering how low and exposed the nests 

 generally are. Erom November to May seems to be tlie favourite 

 time here for laying ; never more than two eggs in a nest, nor have 

 I seen a nest used for a second clutch." 



Mr. Gr. Vidal, referring to the S. Konkan, writes : — " The 

 common Dove of the district, abundant everywhere from coast to 

 Ghats. Nests with eggs taken in October, January, and April." 



From Kotagherry, Nilghiris, Miss Cockburu writes : — "■ Doves 

 are very careless in the construction of their nests, and this species 

 forms no exception to the rule. A few small thin twigs, rudely 

 put together, in a low branch at the edge of a thicket, or in some 

 bramble-bush, so slightly shaded by leaA'es that the nest can be 

 easily seen by the most casual observer, are the places invariably 

 chosen by these inoffensive birds ; they never appear to suspect 

 that mischief may befall their nests. I have often had my eye 

 fixed on a Dove for some minutes while she was sitting on her 

 eggs, and still she would not leave her nest. These Doves build 

 in the months of March and April, and never lay more than two 

 white eggs ; and if one be taken, the birds desert the nest." 



Mr. A. Gr. Cardew, C.8., writes : — " Very common on the 

 Nilgiris, where it breeds from Eebruary to September." 



" In the Western Province " of Ceylon, says Colonel Legge, 

 "this Dove breeds from March until Juue, after which it, no 

 doubt, lays again, for the eggs may be taken almost at any time of 

 the year." 



The eggs vary Aery greatly in size, and decidedly average less 

 than T. risorius and T. indclinda. They are typically the usual 

 broad oval, but, as in other kindred species, elongated and pointed 

 varieties occur. They are pure white and glossy. 



The eggs vary in length from 0-95 to 1-17, and from 0*75 to 

 0-95 ; but the average of thirty-three eggs is 1*06 by 0'82. 



Turtur tigrinus (Temm.). Tlie 3Ialaif Sjiotted Dove. 

 Tuvtur tigriua {Temm.), Hume, lioiujh Draft N. ^- E. uo. 795 bis. 



Writing from Upper Pegu, Mr. Eugene Oates remarks that this 

 bird is " common everywhere except on the hills, where I did not 

 meet with it. It seems to breed at all times of the year. Two 

 eggs measure 1-21 by 0-88 each. They are of course pure white. 



