192 DENIZENS OP THE FOREST 



widely-distributed bird in South Africa. It is smaller than 

 the Eed-eyed Dove, is without the red skin round the eye, 

 tind has a black streak from the base of the bill to the eye. 

 Length, 11 inches. 



It is known to the Boers as the Tortel-duif, and has a 

 pleasant cooing note which is very much in evidence towards 

 sunset. The somewhat harsh call of the Tutle-Dove is 

 described by some authors as monotonous, which we hardly 

 think is the opinion of Colonial-born men. 



The Turtle-Doves feed on grain and seeds, and according 

 to Mr. Thomsen devour a fair proportion of voetgangers. 



Their nests are frail platforms of sticks, and the eggs are 

 white and two in number, and may be searched for from 

 September to March. 



The Laughing Dove (T. senegalensis) is smaller than the 

 Cape Turtle-Dove, and is without the black half collar on 

 the back of the neck ; the feathers of the sides and front of 

 the neck with black bases and reddish tips forming a broad 

 indistinct ^nd mottled collar. Length, about 10| inches. 



It ranges from Egypt to Cape Town, and although common 

 in many districts is not so plentiful as capicola. 



In habits this Dove resembles its Cape cousin, but has a 

 strange laughing sort of call-note. We took nests in the 

 Transvaal in November and April. 



The Namaqua Dove {GEna capensis), male, is well known 

 with its black head and upper breast, white belly, and long 

 tail ; the female is without the black markings. The bird 

 is the smallest of the Doves, so far as the body is concerned. 

 It is of the same length, to the end of the longest tail-feather, 

 as the Laughing Dove. 



It is fairly common throughout South Africa, excepting 

 the coast districts, where it is rarer and a migrant. 



