528 Lieut. H. R. Kelham on 



TuRTUR TiGRiNus (Temm.) . The Spotted Dove. 



This Dove is exceedingly plentiful throughout the west of 

 the peninsnla, where its plaintive cooing is one of the most 

 noticeable of bird-sounds, both away from civiHzation, and 

 also in the gardens of the Settlements. It is easily tamed, 

 and a common cage-bird among the Malays. 



It appears to be almost identical with the Chinese Spotted 

 Dove (7". chinensis) , which swarms throughout South China. 

 I shot several on the mainland near Hong Kong ; and the 

 only difference I could see between them and the Malay race 

 was that they were slightly larger, and had the under tail- 

 coverts ash-grey instead of white. 



A male of the Chinese species which I shot on the Kowloon 

 Hills, near Hong Kong, on 1st June, was 12f inches in length, 

 irides dark brown, surrounded by an orange ring, legs dull 

 scarlet. 



Geopelia striata (Linn.). The Barred Ground-Dove. 



This miniature Turtle Dove seems to be rather uncommon 

 in the wild, unfrequented parts of the peninsula, apparently 

 preferring inhabited and cultivated districts. 



In Singapore it is common on the low, swampy ground, 

 being particularly plentiful among the Chinamen^s gardens 

 in the Mount-Echo, Cluny, and other well-watered valleys in 

 the neighbourhood of Tanglin, where it probably breeds — not 

 that I ever found a nest, but have shot the birds at all seasons. 

 As a rule they keep in pairs, never associating in flocks ; at 

 least such is my experience. 



Throughout the Straits' Settlements the Sand-Dove, as it 

 is called locally, is much in request among the natives as a 

 cage-bird, being easily -tamed. I cannot say how it got its 

 name of Sand-Dove, unless on account of its grey plumage, 

 my Malay syce had one which, on his approaching its cage, 

 expressed its delight most demonstratively, fluttering its 

 wings and cooing loudly, while a stranger made it wild with 

 fear. 



CiiALcoPHAPs iNDiCA (Liuu.) . Thc Bronzc-wiuged Dove. 

 Apparently identical with the Indian bird. It is distributed 



