246 The Dove Acclimatization Experiment.


several flew up into the trees and some made for the Park. The

Crested Doves began to show us their true wild flight, which can

never be seen in an aviary however large this may be. The

flight of this species is extremely fast. The crest is laid

back and the bird with its long tail presents the appearance

of a Cuckoo except that it flies much faster. It is very fond

of flying up to a height and then swooping and circling

round on outstretched motionless pinions, and alighting on the

perch it has just left ; and on alighting the tail is thrown up over

the back in the manner familiar to those who know the bird in

captivity. Twenty -three birds, consisting of eleven Crested

Doves, four Bronzewings, three Half-collared, four Necklaced

and one Senegal Dove were given their freedom that day. Ten

days later about ten more were let out.


These birds were purchased with money subscribed by a

few members of the Avicultural Society and a few were pre-

sented by members. A balance sheet has been sent to the

subscribers, some of whom have witnessed the liberation of the

birds.


I am glad to say that there are still a number of Crested

Doves, the species best adapted for this experiment, to be liber-

ated, for since the others were let free I have received a donation

from His Grace the Duke of Bedford, who has taken great

interest in the experiment, which has provided for the purchase

of ten pairs of Crested Doves, eight pairs of which have already

been delivered and the others are expected in a few days. Three

pairs of Senegal Doves have also been obtained. These are in

somewhat rough feather, and will be kept in the aviary until

their plumage has improved.


It is of course difficult at this early date to say whether

the experiment is destined to succeed or fail, but there seems

every prospect of the Crested Dove at least becoming established.

One can almost always see five or six of these about in the

Gardens at any time of day if one knows how and where to look

for them, but the leaf is getting so thick that it becomes more

difficult every day to see the birds. A feeding-table to which

quite a number of the birds return morning and evening, has

been erected on the lawn near the aviary from which the birds



