(39) STREPTOPELIA TURTUR ORIENTALIS (Lath.). 
THE RUFOUS TURTLE-DOVE. 
Columba orientalis Lath., Ind. Orn., II p. 606 (part), 1783 (ex Sonnerat). 
Columba rupicola Pall., Zoogr. Rosso-As., I p. 566. 
Columba agricola Tickell, J.A.S.B., II p. 581 (1835). 
Turtur orientalis Blyth, ib., XIV p. 876; Hutton, ib., XVII 2nd _ pt. 
p. 13 (2); Scully, Str. Feath., VIII p. 340; Dresser, J.B.N.H.S., XVI 
p. 729; Ward, ib., XVII p. 943; Salvadori, Cat. B.M., XXI p. 403 
(part); Blanf., Avi. Brit. I., IV p. 40 (part); Sharpe, Hand-List, I p. 77 
(part) ; Oates, Cat. Eggs B.M., I p. 94 (part). 
Turtur rupicolus Jerdon, B.I. (part), III p. 477. 
Vernacular Names. None recorded which really refer to this form of 
Streptopelia. 
Description.—Adult male. Differs from the Rufous Turtle-Dove (meena) 
in being much paler-coloured below, the centre of the abdomen is albescent, 
and the feathers of the vent and tibial plumes are practically white; the 
under tail-coverts, flanks, and under wing-coverts are a paler dove-grey, and 
the fore-head, chin, and throat are also decidedly paler. The differences 
pointed out are sufficient to distinguish this race at a glance from its southern 
prototype, and in addition to this it is a considerably larger bird. 
Measurements. About 14 in. (= 345.6 mm.) in total length; wing 7.50 
= 190.5 mm.) to 7.85 in. (=199.4 mm.) and averaging 7.70 in. 
( = 195.5 mm.); tail 5.2 to 6 in. (= 132 to 152 mm.); bill at front about 
.7 in. (= 17.7 mm.) and from gape about 1.1 in. (= 28 mm.) ; tarsus rather 
over .90 in. ( = 22.8 mm). 
** Weight 6 oz.” (Davison). 
“Length 12 to 12.9; expanse 21.7 to 23.7; wing 7.3 to 7.95; tail 
5.0 to 5.6; tarsus 1.0; bill from gape 0.9 to 0.95 ; bill at front 0.65 to 0.71; 
closed wings short of tail 1.5 to 2.5; weight 6.5 to 7.5 oz.” (Scully). 
Colours of soft parts. “‘Trides orange; bill dusky leaden; cere at base, 
gape, and margins of eyelid, purple; eyelid plumbous; tarsi purple, toes 
livid purple, claws dusky ” (Davison). 
“Tris pale red; bill dusky horny, skin purplish ; legs and feet pale lake 
red ”’ (Walton). 
Female resembles the male in all respects. 
Scully considers the female to be smaller than the male and gives the 
following measurements of six birds: “‘ Length 11.75 to 12.5; expanse 
20.5 to 22.8; wing 6.85 to 7.6; tail 5.0 to 5.6; tarsus 0.97 to 1.13; bill 
from gape 0.87 to 0.95; bill at front 0.6 to 0.75; closed wings short of tail 
2.0 to 2.6; weight 6 to 7.5 oz.” 
Young. Exactly like that of meena, but rather paler below. 
