190 CAPE TURTLE. 



Another species very nearly allied to the present 

 has lately been discovered in Australia, to which the 

 name of Columba Macquarrii has been given ; and 

 the Columba venusta of Temminck's Planches Co- 

 loriees also appears referable to the same group, or 

 at least may be considered as its analogue in South 

 America. 



The Cape Turtle, as its name implies, is common 

 around that district of Southern Africa, and is also 

 met with in Senegal, Senegambia, and Nubia. Of 

 its habits and manners we have no detailed account, 

 except that it makes its nest in low trees and shrubs, 

 and lays two white pellucid-looking eggs, very fra- 

 gile and easily broken. The male, as represented 

 on the plate, has the forehead, the region around the 

 base of the bill, the chin, throat, and central part of 

 the breast, intense black. The crown of the head, 

 the region of the eyes, the sides of the neck and 

 breast, flanks, and lesser wing-coverts, are of a pale 

 French-grey; the middle of the abdomen, thighs, 

 and vent, are white. The lower part of the hind 

 neck and back are of a pale hair-brown. Two of 

 the greater wing-coverts, and the secondary quill 

 nearest the body, have a large spot of violaceous or 

 metallic purple upon their outer webs. The greater 

 quills are rich orange-brown, with the exterior webs 

 and tips brownish-black. The under coverts of the 

 wings are orange-brown, the long axillary feathers 

 and under tail-coverts black. Upon the rump are 

 two black bars, with an intermediate one of pale 



