THE BRONZE-SPOTTED DOVE. 283 



another white one ; the face, throat and breast are 

 brownish-red ; the rump is crossed by a band of black 

 and another of reddish-brown; on the shoulders are 

 several spots of greyish-purple shining with metallic 

 reflections, whence the species is named. 



There is but little difference in appearance between 

 the sexes, but the spots on the wings of the female 

 are rather smaller than, and not quite as lustrous as, 

 they are in the case of the male. 



It was unfortunate that my Spotted Doves should 

 just have commenced to nest as the cold weather set 

 in, for of course that put a stop to the proceedings, 

 and they never recovered fully from the shock they had 

 received. 



One of the pair, the female, if I remember rightly, died 

 at the Crystal Palace Bird Show to which I had sent 

 them, and the survivor I gave away to a friend, but it 

 soon died too, whether from the effects of a torpid liver 

 or from grief at the loss of its mate I am not sure, but in 

 all probability both causes had something to do with its 

 demise, for the Bronze-spotted Doves are very affectionate 

 little creatures, and visibly fret when alone. 



I found the liver congested in the case of the one that 

 died at the Palace, no doubt owing to the cold. 



Scientific name : Chalcopelia chalcospilos. 



