586 THE TURTLE-DOVE. 



undecided manner, and then, as if they had got their line, dart off with an arro^^y flight. 

 IMissives written on very thin paper and rolled u]i tightly, are secured to the l)ird in sneh 

 a way that they will not be shaken oft' by the flapping of the wings, or encumber the 

 bird in its flight ; and before the introduction of the electric telegraph, tliis mode of 

 correspondence was greatly in use, mostly in political or sporting circles. 



The splendid Top-Knot Pigeon is one of the handsomest of the tribe, and in any 

 collection of birds would be one of the most conspicuous species. 



It is a native of Southern and Eastern Australia, and, according to Mr. Gould, is most 

 plentifully found in the bushes of the lUawarra and Hunter rivers. The powerful feet 

 and general structure point it out as an arboreal bird, and it is so exclusively found in the 

 trees that it will not even perch among the underwood, but must needs take its place on 

 the branches of lofty trees. When perched it sits boldly and uprightly, having an almost 

 hawk-like air about it. 



It is a gregarious bird, assembling in large flocks, and being very fond of constant 

 proximity to its neighbours, whether it be swiftly flying through the air, or quietly 

 perched upon a branch. AVhen a flock of Top-Knot Pigeons directs its flight towards a 

 tree, the rushing sound of wings can be heard at a considerable distance, and when the 

 birds perch simultaneously upon the boughs, bending them down with their weight, or 

 fluttering their wings and displaying their beautiful crests, they present a very animated 

 scene. Their wings are proportionately powerful to their feet, and they have a custom of 

 ascending high into the air and taking very long flights, packed so closely together 

 that the spectator involuntarily wonders how they can move their wings without striking 

 their companions. 



The food of this bird consists mostly of fruits, and it is very fond of the wild fig, and 

 the berries of the cabbage palm. Its throat is v^onderfuUy capacious, and Mr. Gould says 

 it cordd swallow a walnut without inconvenience. Fortunately for itself, it is not good 

 eating, the flesh being dry and coarse. 



The crest of the forehead and top of the head, together with the hackle-like feathei-s 

 of the throat and breast, are silver grey, showing the darker hues on the breast. On the 

 back of the head the crest is of a ruddy rust colour. From the eye to the back of the 

 head runs a dark streak shaded by the crest. The upper surface of the body is dark slaty 

 grey, and the primaries and secondaries, together with the edge of the wing, are black. 

 The tail is grey of two shades, having a broad band of black across the centre, and the 

 extremity deeply tipped with the same dark hue. The under surface is silver grey like 

 the breast. The eye is fiery orange, surrounded with a narrow crimson line ; the base of 

 the bill is blue and the remainder red, and the feet are purplish red. The length of this 

 fine bird is about seventeen inches. 



The world-famed Turtle-Dove is, although a regular visitor of tliis country, better 

 known by fame and tradition than by actual observation. This bird has, from classic 

 time until the present day, been conventionally accepted as the type of matrimonial 

 perfection, loving but its mate and caring for no other until death steps in to part the 

 wedded couple. Yet it is by no means the only instance of such conjugal affection among 

 the feathered tribes, for there are hundreds of birds which can lay claim to the same 

 excellent qualities, the fierce eagle and the ill-omened raven being among their number. 



The Turtle-Dove seems to divide its attention pretty equally between Africa and 

 England, pausing for some little time in southern Italy as a kind of half-way house. It 

 arrives here about the beginning of ]\Iay, or pt^rhaps a little earlier in case the weather bo 

 warm, and after resting for a little while, sets about making its very simple nest and 

 laying its white eggs. The ne.st of this bird is built lower than is generally the case with 

 the Wood- Pigeon, and is usually placed on a forked branch of some convenient tree, about 

 ten feet or so from the ground. Both parents aid in the duties of incubation as tliey 

 ought to do, and both are equally industrious in the maintenance of their small family. The 

 eggs are laid rather late in the season, so that there is seldom more than a single brood of 

 two young in the course of the year. 



