77/<? Dove Acclimatization Experiment. 245


ence, and on dull days they mope and look unhappy, however

high the temperature of their abode may be kept. If the tem-

perature drops below a certain degree they become torpid aud

apparently lifeless, but revive when warmed again. Of course in

their new home the temperature will never be allowed to fall

below about 70 Fahrenheit, but on the journey from Southampton

to London it was impossible to keep them warm enough, and on

arrival some were found to be in a torpid state. One appeared to

be dead, but on being placed close to the hot-water pipes it

quickly revived and was soon buzzing about the house like a big

moth.


Besides the Humming-Birds a few other rarities arrived,


mostly Tauagers which, so far, are unidentified ; one especially

interesting bird is a Cardinal, which appears to be Paroaria

nigrigenis, an adult and an immature specimen. This appears

to be quite new to aviculture. D. S-S.



THE DOVE ACCLIMATIZATION EXPERIMENT.



On the first of May the first batch of Doves, which had

been housed for some time in the Southern Pheasantry of the

Zoological Society's Gardens, were liberated. The morning feed

was withheld until eleven o'clock, the time appointed for the

liberation. The food was thrown down just outside the door,

aud the birds quickly commenced to descend from the perches

and leisurely walked out. There were in all between thirty and

forty birds, nearly all of which walked out and fed 011 the lawn ;

but immediately they were satisfied they commenced one and

all to return to their aviary. One Half-collared Dove which

happened to fly out of the door seemed too frightened at finding

itself free to settle, and after circling round once or twice took a

bee-line to the north-east and was soon lost to sight. We hardly

expected to see this bird again, but the next day it was perched

on the Western aviary.


After about a dozen birds had returned to the aviary we

thought it advisable to quietly walk up and shut the door so that

some at least should have their freedom. Those that were out

commenced to walk and run over the grass and flower beds, aiicT



