The Acclimatization of Foreign Doves. 215


There is often a great difference between the talking ability

of Cockatoos, even out of the same nest, but the bulk of them

can talk fairly well. Occasionally, however, one finds a bird with

an almost human articulation, and with an accent that almost

convinces that he understands the language. There are, of

course, many phrases that a good Cockatoo knows the meaning

of, just like a spaniel, phrases relating to food, scratching the

poll, and so on. I heard a Cockatoo the other day say " One,


two, three, four, five, six, eight, d it, I've forgotten the seven


again," with inimitable expression, and followed by a rollicking

laugh that was really human. Very clever birds like this have,

to their owners, a value above money, and cannot be bought.

For besides its talking qualities, the Cockatoo, when well treated,

becomes very affectionate, and it is wonderful what ill-usage it

will stand without becoming vicious. F. R.



ACCLIMATIZATION OF FOREIGN DOVES.



Most of the members of the Avicultural Society are well

aware, from notices that have already appeared in this Journal,

that it is proposed to liberate a number of foreign Doves in the

London Zoological Gardens. Several members have been good

enough to contribute to, a fund for purchasing the birds, while

others have given birds, and in all some forty specimens consisting

of Crested (Ocyphaps lophotes), Brouzewing (Phaps chalcoptera),

Half-collared (Turtur semitorqualtis), Senegal [T. senegalensis) and

Necklaced {T. tigrinus) have been obtained. About the time that

this is in the hands of the members the door of the aviary in

which the birds are now housed will be opened, and the first

batch allowed their liberty, the remainder being let out at in-

tervals of about a week. Very great care will be taken that

they are in no way scared. Their morning feed will be thrown

on the ground in the door way, and the door thrown open.

Every bird has a ring on one leg with the initials D. A. F. (Dove

Acclimatization Experiment) stamped upon it.


The Australian Crested Dove (see illustration) is the species

of which we have the greatest hope, and there seems every reasmr~~"



