114 DENIZENS OF THE FOREST 



and long tail ; the female is without the black markings. 

 The bird is the smallest of the doves, so far as the body 

 is concerned. 



It is fairly common throughout South Africa, excepting 

 the coast districts, where it is rarer and a migrant. 



It is also a grain- and seed-eating bird, and builds a 

 platform-nest of twigs and rootlets, and lays white eggs. 



The Tambourine ~Dove(Tympanistria tympanistria) has 

 the forehead, eyebrow, and entire under-surface white ; 

 above brown. 



This Dove is only found in the Bush districts of the 

 South-eastern portion of the sub-continent and the 

 Zoutpansberg and Lydenburg Districts of the Transvaal. 



Its name is derived from its peculiar rattling call, 

 " coo coo," oft repeated. 



It does not differ from the other species in habits. 



The Emerald- Spotted Dove (Chalcopelia afro) is 

 brownish above, with two black bands on the rump, 

 and pinkish below ; a steel-green or blue spot on the 

 wing. 



It is also a bush-loving species, ranging from Worces- 

 ter through Knysna to Zululand, the Transvaal, and 

 Rhodesia. 



It may be found on the ground, feeding on grass and 

 weed seeds in the neighbourhood of rivers, or in clearings 

 in the bush. 



The Cinnamon Dove (Haplopelia larvata) has the 

 forehead white, top of head, neck, and upper part of back 

 metallic-pink with greeny reflections ; remainder of upper 

 surface brownish ; chin whitish, breast pinkish, shading 

 into cinnamon on the belly. 



