COLUMBTDjE. 



with a thin layer of fine roots, through which tlie eggs (two in num- 

 ber, oval, and pure white: axis, "13"'; diameter, 11'") are, in most 

 instances, plainly visible from below. 



511. Turtur Senegalensis. (Linn.) Temm., Pig, t. 



45 ; G. Maculicollis, Wagler ; La Tourterelle Maillee, 



Le Vail, No. 270 ; C. Cambayensis, Gm. ; Guv., Vol. 



S, p. 84 ; C. jEgyptiaca, Lath. ; Laughing-Dove of 



Colonists. 



HEAD, neck, and breast vinaceQus ; chin almost white ; 

 breast marked with black ;* wings, flanks, rump, and upper 

 side of tail cinereous, darkest on the tail, the two centre 

 feathers of which are tinged with ashy, while the three outer 

 pair have the apical half white ; shoulders deep rufous ; 

 belly whitish ; vent quite white. Length, 10" ; wing, 5" 3"'; 

 tail, 5". 



This elegant dove is found throughout the colony, and is well 

 known from the peculiarity of its note, which somewhat resembles a 

 human laugh. It frequents the same localities as do the two preced- 

 ing species, and is often mistaken for them when on the wing. A 

 hen-bird, attracted by the call of the male of the Australian Geotrupes 

 Tranquilla in my aviary, entered the room and was captured. I kept 

 her in confinement a few days, and finally let her loose/ To my 

 astonishment she appeared in the evening on the window-sill to pick 

 up the seed spilt there accidentally. She remained about the house 

 and garden, sometimes venturing into the room, and in the breeding 

 season sought a mate and bred in one of the oak-trees close to the 

 window. Her first nest was destroyed by a mischievous boy ; but 

 she made another, and brought off the young one, which together with 

 herself and mate are daily to be found morning and evening, feeding 

 in the garden, unmindful of our presence. They have also associated 

 with them Tuitur Brytlirophrys and a Java sparrow. Subsequently 

 they attracted many of their own species, and I have counted as many 

 as sixteen in the garden at once. Eggs taken from the nest of this 

 bird measure axis, 13'" ; diameter, 10"'. They are the usual pure 

 glossy white. 



The Sub-Family, GOURIN^E, or Ground- 

 Pigeons, 



have the bill moderate, more or less slender, straight, with 

 the apical portion generally strong and vaulted ; the wings 

 moderate, and pointed ; the tail moderate, and rounded on 

 the sides ; the tarsi as long as, or longer than, the middle 



* The peculiar marking of the breast represented by the French "Maillee" is 

 caused by the black of the basal half of the feathers appearing through the bifurcated 

 tips of those that overlap them, tile-ivise. 



