562 BIRDS UF SOUTH AFRICA. 
it greedily feeds, whence its name of “Olive Dove.” It breeds upon 
trees in mountain ravines, aud, we have been informed, lays four eggs, 
only two of which come to perfection. Two eggs which we have had 
given us as the eggs of this species, are of the usual white colour 
and shape: axis, 1” 6”; diameter, 14’. The nest is a loose 
structure of sticks. Mr. Atmore writes, under date 13th May, 1864, 
from near Blanco :—“ The large yellow-billed and yellow-legged 
Bush Dove is breeding here now, high on the mountain. They 
make their nests on the tops of the tree-ferns. I am trying to get 
some young ones for you.” ‘The colonists call this bird Olive Dove, 
or Bush Dove. Mr. Rickard tells us that it is common near East 
London, and, according to Captain Trevelyan’s notes, it is plentiful 
in the Peri Bush, near Kingwilliamstown, and is very fond of the 
wild plum tree. In Natal, Mr. Ayres says that “they come by 
thousands in the month of June, leaving again in August; they 
keep to the bush along the coast, only a few stragglers being found 
a few miles inland; they feed entirely on the berries which abound 
on the trees in the bush during the winter months. I have never 
seen them alight on the ground; they are shot here by hundreds, 
and afford our Durban sportsmen capital sport.” 
He also writes:—“ I found this pigeon scattered rather sparsely 
amongst the Megaliesbergen, during the winter months; and, 
according to my brother, it is not much more plentiful in 
summer ; they are generally solitary birds; but once I saw about 
twenty together.” Mr. Andersson did not meet with the species in 
Damara Land, nor has Senor Anchieta procured it in a wild state 
in any part of South-Western Africa. Mr. Monteiro forwarded a 
living specimen in 1864 from Benguela, and Professor Barboza du 
Bocage states that he has also received two live birds from Angola, 
but as he very properly remarks, this does not prove that the 
species occurs in South-Western Africa, although specimens in the 
Lisbon Museum are labelled as coming from Galungo-alto. 
General colour above, dark ashy, inclining to reddish on the back 
and shoulders, light on the edge of the wing, and very dark on 
the tail, over which there is a decided greenish tinge; wings, at the 
shoulders spotted with white; forehead vinaceous, passing into 
light ash-colour on the back of the head; chin, neck, and breast, 
obscure vinaceous, mottled with black; belly and flanks, a mixture 
of yinaceous and cinereous, with a profusion of crescent-shaped 
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