DOVES 



This Dove is fairly common in the Eastern Districts of 

 the Cape, and the coastal portion of Natal. Although 

 found in Mashonaland, it has so far not been recorded 

 from the Transvaal. 



The Cape Turtle-Dove (T. capicola) is a well-known 

 and widely-distributed bird in South Africa. It is 

 smaller than the Eed-eyed Dove, is without the red skin 

 round the eye, and has a black streak from the base of 

 the bill to the eye. 



It is known to the Boers as the Tortel-duif, and has a 

 pleasant cooing note, which is very much in evidence 

 towards sunset. The somewhat harsh call of the Turtle- 

 Dove is described by some authors as monotonous, 

 which we hardly think is the opinion of Colonial-born 

 men. 



The Turtle-Doves feed on grain and seeds, and accord- 

 ing to Mr. Thomsen devour a fair proportion of voet- 

 gangers. 



Their nests are frail platforms of sticks, and the eggs 

 are white and two in number, and may be searched for 

 from September to March. 



The Laughing Dove (T. senegalensis) is smaller than 

 the Cape Turtle-Dove, and is without the black half 

 collar on the back of the neck ; the feathers of the sides 

 and front of the neck have black bases and reddish tips, 

 forming a broad indistinct and mottled collar. 



It ranges from Egypt to Cape Town, and although 

 common in many districts, is not so plentiful as capicola. 



In habits this Dove resembles its Cape cousin, but has 

 a strange laughing sort of call-note. We took nests in 

 the Transvaal in November and April. 



The Namaqua Dove (CEna capensis), male, is well 

 known, with its black head and upper breast, white belly, 



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