GAME-BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA 



During the late Boer war I saw a large colony of these 

 pigeons breeding in the corner of a verandah belonging to 

 some missionaries in the western Transvaal. They were at 

 complete liberty, and I was curious to know how they were 

 first established. I was informed that some domestic pigeons 

 had been in the verandah-corner fu'st, and their eggs 

 replaced by Bush-Dove eggs, and that the young had not 

 only bred freely in due course, but had brought wild birds 

 back with them. 



I have found this bird breeding practically all the year 

 round. This is also Sergt. Davies's experience, and he tells 

 me he has shot young birds at all times of the year. 



They feed on aU or any grain, and often do great damage 

 when the crops are ripening. Very pretty shooting may be 

 had by lying up at the edge of the crops when the birds are 

 flighting in to feed, especially if a few live decoys be placed 

 within gun-shot. For this purpose any ordinary pigeon 

 will do. 



The " coo " is quite distinct — a hoarse, rough note utterly 

 different from that of the domestic pigeon, but the courting 

 attitudes are very similar. 



The eggs are always two, and pure white. They measure 

 1.4 by 1.0 in. 



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