on the Nesting of the Solitary Grou?id Dove. 131


got my own birds. In this one case seven birds arrived in

England, but I do not know who eventually owned them.


Now, before going any further, I had better describe to

3 r ou what the Solitary Dove is like ; though I fear that to anyone

who does not love doves as I do, the bird would be considered at

first sight rather dull and plain-looking.


It must be remembered, however, that in most doves the

colouring is as quiet-looking as it is beautiful, and it is only after

long observation of these birds that the delicacy and harmony of

their plumage can be really appreciated and enjoyed.


The cock Solitary Dove, then, is of upstanding shape and

rounded build—about the size of a Bleeding-heart Pigeon. The

general colour is greyish ; the wings, tail, and back olive-brown ;

the long wing quill-feathers being of a darker shade. The outer

tail-feathers are tipped with white, but the white is not notice¬

able unless looked at from below, or unless the tail is spread.

The breast, throat, cheeks and forehead are a lovely soft purple

tint, the sheen on the neck and back of the head are exquisite

green, like the green pearl in a shell. The under-parts are

white, the eyes bright orange, the bill horn-coloured and the feet

pink. Underneath the wings is a beautiful copper lining, but

this feature is common to many other doves. The hen Solitary

Dove is very like the cock, but rather smaller, slighter, and

lighter in colour. The green on the neck is not so prominent,

and the purple tint on the breast not so distinct.


I bought my hen for a few shillings as an odd unknown

bird. Her wings were very badly cut when she first came to me,

and for a long time she could not fly.


The pair of Solitary Doves and the odd Rufous Dove were

all three put together in the same aviary, but though two separate

nests were started at the same time, and eggs were laid, no young

ones were reared. However, I felt I had learnt this much : my

birds were evidently a cock and two liens.


Eater I procured a cock Rufous Dove (the old bird proving

a hen) and this pair, and a pair each of Bronzewings and Aurita

Doves, were all placed in the same aviary with the Solitary

Doves.


All four pairs agreed on the whole very well, and all at

one time were nesting together.



