GAME-BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA 



(C. 'palumbus). It is a partial migrant, and as its food- 

 supplies ripen, it moves from district to district. It feeds 

 on wild-olives and wild-figs. 



Olive-Pigeons are very strong on the wing, and carry a lot 

 of shot. They are excellent-eating. 



They are often found in large flocks, and when shooting 

 for the pot a good bag can at times be made by waiting under 

 the trees in which they feed. 



They frequently make a great noise when feeding, and the 

 heavy flapping of their wings as they balance themselves 

 on some slender twig to reach the berries on the end, can be 

 heard a considerable way off. 



I have never heard this Pigeon make any note except in 

 the breeding-season, when the males utter a deep " Coo." 



When in good plumage and freshly shot, these birds have 

 a beautiful plum-hke bloom over all the feathers ; but this 

 comes off at once with handling, so that preserved skins 

 appear much more red than freshly-killed birds. 



They are tree-breeders and not rock-breeders, making the 

 usual type of Pigeon's nest of a few loose sticks, and laying 

 two white eggs measuring about 1.5 by 1.15 in. 



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