THE CAPE DOVE. 251 



of them, the hen, flew up on the landing-board that 

 led into the " dining-room," or "refectory" of the 

 establishment, but the Zebrafinch barred the way and 

 the Dove was afraid to venture, whereupon her mate, 

 seeing her predicament, bravely hastened to her as- 

 sistance. Pushing past his partner with a little "hoo" 

 that evidently meant, "let me try/' he confronted 

 the valiant defender of the pass, but was resolutely 

 resisted by the tiny Finch, who immediately sounded 

 his "penny-trumpet" and showed such a determined 

 front that the Dove thought discretion would be the 

 better part of valour and at once retired from the 

 contest, leaving the audacious little Australian in posses- 

 sion of the field; so that I was obliged to intervene 

 and dislodge him before the Doves were able to have 

 their dinner. 



Two or three, occasionally four, broods may be 

 looked for during the season, and no doubt all the 

 young might be reared if provision were made for 

 replacing the parental heat as soon as instinct had 

 taught the old birds that their progeny should be left 

 to shift for themselves at night. But unless this can 

 be done, probably not one of all the baby Doves will 

 live to reach maturity, unless, as I have said, the 

 weather happen to be exceptionally fine. 



A lady aviarist of my acquaintance residing in 

 Hampshire was successful in fully rearing some of these 

 Doves during the summer of 1887, but only after 



