Bronze- Wings. 153 



Blue-spotted Dove (Chalcopelia afro). 



"The sexes seem to be practically alike, the only observable 

 difference being the barely paler colour and slightly smaller size of 

 the female" (Oberholzer, Proc. United States Nat. Mus., vol. xxviii. 

 p. 844). 



As Professor Oberholzer states, this and the preceding species, 

 until quite recently, were believed to be identical ; indeed, they 

 were frequently regarded as sexes, but as this American author 

 observes : "Aside from an interesting difference in habits noted by 

 Mr Erlanger — chalcospila living among the acacias on the plains, 

 and afra more confined to the forests — these two species may be 

 distinguished as follow s : Chalcopelia afra is much larger ; it has 

 blue or purple instead of bright green metallic spots on the inner 

 wing-coverts ; the bill is yellow instead of almost black ; the brown 

 area of the entire upper surface is decidedly more rufescent ; and 

 the chin, as well as the cheeks, flanks, and abdomen are strongly 

 tinged with buff." As I have living specimens of both species, I am 

 able to confirm these distinctions : of C. chalcospila I have both 

 sexes, and of C. afra a male. 



Maiden Dove (Calopelia puella). 



"The female is perhaps a trifle smaller than the male, has a 

 rather less prominent forehead, and is much less alert and heavier 

 in her movements" (Butler, Avicultural Magazine, N.S., vol. iv. 

 p. 252). 



Inserted out of its natural position in the Museum Catalogue. 



Australian Green-winged Dove (Chalcophaps chrysochlora). 



The female is smaller and duller than the male, less vinous in 

 tint ; the white on the shoulder of the wing is wanting, or only 

 represented by an indistinct greyish patch ; under tail-coverts 

 ruddy brown ; tail above chestnut-brown, the lateral feathers with 

 a black subterminal band ; outer tail-feathers grey, as in the male. 



Christmas Island Green-winged Dove {Chalcophaps natalis). 



" The female has the upper tail-coverts of a pure cinnamon colour, 

 like the central tail-feathers; also the under tail- coverts are of a 

 cinnamon colour, without blackish tips " (Salvadori, Catalogue of 

 Birds, vol. xxi. p. 520). Doubtless this sex is also smaller and less 

 elegantly formed than the male. 



Indian Green- winged Dove (Chalcophaps indica). 



" Female. — Forehead dull grey, and the supercilium narrower ; 

 occiput, nape, and upper back, brown ; under parts reddish-brown, 

 minutely speckled with grey points ; smaller wing- coverts on the 

 shoulders brown, with scarcely any paler tips ; four central tail- 

 feathers brown-black, next two pairs tinged with rufous chestnut 



