THE INDIAN RING-DOVE. 293 



This Dove frequents much the same localities as the last, but is by no 

 means so common. It is, however, observed on the higher hills, where 

 T. tigrinus is absent or very rarely seen. It has the usual habits of the 

 Turtle Doves, feeding on the ground in pairs or singly, and flying into trees 

 when disturbed. 



653. TURTUR RISORIUS. 

 THE INDIAN RING-DOVE. 



Columba risoria, Linn. Sijst. Nat. i. p. 285. Turtur risorius, Jerd. B. 2nd. ii. 

 p. 481 ; Hume, Nests and Eggs, p. 506 ; id. S. F. iii. p. 1C5 ; Wald. in Bl. B. 

 Burnt, p. 146 ; Dresser, Birds Eur. vii. p. 51, pi. ; David et Oust. Ois. Chine, 

 p. 387 ; Anders. Yunnan Exped. p. 666 ; Cripps, S. F. vii. p. 297 ; Legge, Birds 

 Ceylon, p. 702 j Hume, S. F. viii. p. 110 ; Oates, S. F. x. p. 235. 



Description. Male and female. The whole head, neck and lower plumage 

 pale vinaceous ; a black collar on the hind neck, with a little white above 

 and below it ; upper plumage, tertiaries and wing-coverts light brown ; 

 edge of the wing ashy ; secondaries ashy brown ; primaries black narrowly 

 edged with whitish; lower abdomen, vent and under tail-coverts dark 

 ashy; sides of body and under wing-coverts lighter ashy; central tail- 

 feathers light brown, the others more or less dark grey on the basal halves 

 and light grey on the terminal halves. 



Bill black ; iris red ; eyelids and skin of the face yellow ; legs blood-red ; 

 claws horn-colour. 



Length 13'5 inches, tail 5'5, wing 6'5, tarsus 1, bill from gape '9. The 

 female is of about the same size. 



The Ring-Dove was obtained near Thayetmyo by both Capt. Feilden and 

 myself; but it appears to be very rare, for I only met with it on one occa- 

 sion ; and it has not yet been procured elsewhere in British Burmah. 



Dr. Anderson observed it in Independent Burmah near Bhamo ; and it 

 occurs in China, Japan and South-eastern Siberia. It is universally distri- 

 buted over India and Ceylon, extending westwards into Europe. 



This Dove frequents cultivated ground, being found in small flocks, as 

 \voll as singly and in pairs. In India it breeds pretty nearly all the year 

 through, making the usual flimsy nest of a Dove on low trees and shrubs, 

 and laying two eggs. 



