NAM A QUA DOVE. 151 



the approach of anything larger than the smallest 

 of snakes. 



Another charming bird to be found abundant in 

 this vicinity is the Namaqua dove (Columba capensis). 

 It is very little larger than a canary, and is possessed 

 of all the warm, soft, blended plumage of its species, 

 with the exception of the black ring round its neck, 

 which, is larger and more distinct. The nest of this 

 dove differs from that of its congeners, for it is very 

 neatly put together, the fork of the limbs of a low bush 

 being generally selected for its resting-place, and the 

 eggs, which are semi-transparent, have a delicate pink 

 tint; in fact, they are exactly such as would be 

 expected to be produced by such a little darling. 



Bareekie, the chief, had given me a youth as an 

 attendant. His sharp eyes found me this dove's nest, 

 but he was consulting his own interests, not mine, 

 when he did so ; for, before I became aware what the 

 urchin was prying about, he had swallowed one egg, 

 and was about to repeat the experiment on the 

 other. However, I was in time to thwart his little 

 game. 



This youth was, or nearly so, a full-bred bushman, 

 and had without exception the most repulsive figure 



