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on the Nesting of the Rufous Dove.



kept to the ground, though it could fly quite well when they

were first put together.


Meanwhile the pair of Rufous were sitting well, and on

April 26th the first egg was hatched. In the same aviary (which

is about 16ft. by 6£ft.) were also the pair of Green Doves, and a

pair each of Auritas and Bronzewings. All these four pairs were

nesting at once in perfect peace, except for a small fight at first

between the cock Rufous and cock Aurita.


Both the Rufous Doves were ideal parents, and it was not

until the young ones were about nine days old that the old birds

left the nest even for a little time. The nest was very high up,

but I managed to get a glimpse of one 3^oung bird. It looked

strong and healthy and was olive brown with light brown breast,

and white under parts. The forehead was light-coloured with a

light whitish streak running from the beak over the eye.


On May 13th, when the young birds would be about 17

days old, they both came out of the nest and reached the ground

in safety.


I have mentioned before in writing of doves that it is

essential to have a wooden crib (made of 11-inch high floor

boards) on the aviary floor under the nest. The crib of course

filled with a good bed of straw or hay. If you neglect this simple

precaution you will probably find your young birds dead, or

with a broken wing on their first descent from the nest, for they

are very fragile little creatures, and their small bones are soft,

and if startled by the other birds they may lose their hold and

fall heavily, with fatal results.


The Rufous family made such a pretty picture when I first

found the young ones out, for all four were nestling together in

the straw, the old birds in a state of great pride and contentment.


I find most of my doves, if good parents, have great

pleasure in their young ones, and they quite seem to wish me to

share it too. I am sure birds have much more sense in this way

than people give them credit for.


Two days after the Rufous left the nest, the little Bronze-

wings followed their example, and the four small birds used to

sit together on the straw, the greatest of friends.



