36 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM TOL. 73 



LISSOTIS MELANOGASTER (Ruppell) 



BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD 



Three birds brought in are feeding exclusively, as far as one can 

 see, on minced meat. (Dodoma, vi. 26.) 



COLUMBA GUINEA GUINEA Linnaeus 

 SPECKLED PIGEON 



Common on the rocky kopjes in the vicinity of the town; owing 

 to their depredations in the gardens of the natives a battue was 

 organized some few years ago and their numbers considerably reduced. 

 They seem hardy enough in captivity, eating "mtama" and "mweli", 

 but doves can not be confined in the same cage, as the pigeons peck 

 them to death. Even members of their own species are liable to 

 attack if introduced into a cage of well-established birds. This hap- 

 pened to two pigeons brought in from Kondoa Irangi on July 12, 

 1926. (Dodoma, vii. 26.) 



A speckled pigeon was twice flushed from its nest in a hole in a 

 branch of a baobab perhaps 30 feet from the ground. (Saranda, 12. 

 vii. 26.) 



Two nests, on which the hens were sitting, were built on top of 

 posts in the "boma"; one examined held two eggs. (Kilamatinde, 

 20. vii. 26.) 



TURTUR CHALCOSPILOS CHALCOSPILOS (Wagler) 



EMERALD-SPOTTED GROUND DOVE 



Many individuals were taken around Dodoma; a hardy species. 



GENA CAPENSIS CAPENSIS (Linnaeus) 



NAMAQUA DOVE 



I disturbed a Namaqua dove building at Dodoma early in July. 

 A nest containing two fresh eggs was taken by Salimu on August 28, 

 1926. An egg laid by a captive bird at the same time measures 20 

 by 13 mm. 



Our first experience with these birds was disappointing, as only one 

 hardy male survived on a diet of "mtama." Later in August these 

 doves began flocking and great numbers might daily be seen feeding 

 on the ground about the house. The natives brought in quite a 

 number and I put these on a diet of "uwele," the seeds being threshed 

 from the head. Though this food did not seem ideal, many of the 

 birds appear to be subsisting on it, though a month is rather too short 

 a time to make sure that it will suffice. (Dodoma, 31. viii. 26.) 



