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Miss R. Alderson,



NESTING OF THE RUFOUS DOVE.


Leptoptila reickenbachi.


By Miss R. Aederson.


A short time ago I was away from home, and whilst

talking to an avicultural friend he suddenly asked me, “ Why do

3 ? ou care for those silly doves ? ”


My first thought, when I had somewhat recovered at hear¬

ing my favourites so described, was that this was exactly the

opinion I constantly heard at home. My second thought, that

here was a fine opportunity to defend my pets, if only I could

make the most of it: possibly I might even make a convert.


Unfortunately this opinion is not a solitary one. Doves

are not yet as popular as they should be, but those who do not

keep them little know what pleasure they miss.


I am constantly told “doves are so silly, they have no

character. I had rather have one parrot than a dozen doves.”

But both the doves and I have got hardened. We do not care

for outside opinion, but are content to understand and enjoy

each other’s society.


I have always cared for these birds since the time when as

small children we had one fine cock Barbary, whom (with a very

vague knowledge of Latin) we named “ Cooey Columbies.” Like

all Barbarys he got very tame, and would coo when we told him

to, while I used to gaze in admiration on his soft creamy plumage,

and beautiful eyes like jewels.


Poor “ Cooey ” came to a sad end. He was found one day

murdered and mutilated, a victim to the jealousy of a pet Jack¬

daw. After a solemn consultation we decided that the murderer,

as a punishment, was to be taken from the aviary and put into

what we called the “ educational cage.” This structure was

really large enough lor him to have lived in comfortably, but

before long he died, probably less from remorse than disappoint¬

ment and disgust at the fact that we had totally misunderstood

the motive of his act.


Years after this I read our valued member Mr. Cresswell’s

most interesting article 011 doves in “The Feathered World.”



