182 WATCHFULNESS AND VOICES. [CHAP. v. 



loudly. Any noise is observed by them, and never 

 passed over in silence." With us, the sound of a piano 

 in an adjoining room, or the tramp of footsteps in a 

 passage close by, excites the never-forgotten coo. Of 

 all sleepers the Collared Turtle is one of the lightest ; 

 and the beautiful allusions in the Holy Scriptures to 

 " mourning like a Dove," have a most apt reference 

 to the wakefulness of sorrow. 



The voice consists principally of a coo, very loud for 

 the size of the bird, and a recovering suspiration, which 

 has an audible sound. There is also a slight note of 

 alarm, like a low grunt, which is likewise used by them 

 as an indication of recognition when pleased. The 

 note of triumph, the laugh, appears to be emitted on 

 the same occasions that the common Cock crows, such 

 as in warlike exhibitions, or after having flown down 

 from a height, at the appearance of sunlight perhaps, 

 or such-like exhilarating events. A young friend of 

 ours interpreted the coo to mean " Pope o' Rome, Oh ! 

 Pope o' Rome, Oh!" but this translation of the Tur- 

 tle's notes, it ought to be mentioned, was made before 

 recent events had occurred to render such an invocation 

 highly objectionable. The prettiest performance is 

 when the birds coo a duet: it is then very like the 

 tenor at an opera singing the refrain of an air, which is 

 immediately repeated an octave higher by the responsive 

 prima donna. 



Another observant friend furnishes the following 

 account : " A pair of Turtle Doves I kept tame for 

 some time were exceedingly amusing and interesting 

 little birds. At first they were confined in a large 

 wicker cage, but afterwards were gradually allowed their 

 entire freedom, which they never abused. They do not 



