248 FEATHERED FRIENDS. 



is said; but the better plan, I think, is to take them 

 in by the middle of October, returning them to their 

 fair weather quarters in May ; for although they might 

 be able to resist a certain amount of dry cold, damp 

 soon overpowers them, and if they do not die at once, 

 they are liable to contract arthritic rheumatism, and 

 become so crippled as to be unable to fly ; or else 

 their toes get contracted and they cannot walk or even 

 stand without evidently suffering acute pain: therefore, 

 in the interests of humanity, it is well not to expose 

 the poor little things to the risk of catching such a 

 terrible complaint. 



The young Cape Doves differ considerably in appear- 

 ance from their parents, and are more or less speckled 

 and spotted, but when about six months old they 

 assume the adult plumage and are indistinguishable 

 from their elders. 



In the matter of diet, they are easily accommodated, 

 their sole food consisting of Canary-seed and white 

 millet, on which they will do very well ; they are fond, 

 however, of pottering about in short grass, where I 

 have repeatedly seen them picking up small insects, 

 for in common with most Doves and Pigeons they are 

 not strictly vegetarian in their habits, but devour a 

 good many flies and grubs, and especially small snails, 

 which last they may, possibly, mistake for stones, as 

 these are swallowed whole. 



I fancy these miniature Doves might in a suitable 



