EGYPTIAN TURTLE-DOVE 93 
a model of connubial affection I really do not know, 
but it has, and I suppose it will be treated as a sort 
of sacred symbol to the end of time. 
This particular Egyptian Turtle-dove is also 
sometimes called the Palm-dove ; a good name, as it 
is always to be found wherever there are palm trees ; 
on them it roosts and in their branches it nests. 
When flying it opens its tail wide, and then shows 
the broad white and lilac-grey of those side feathers 
which when sitting are all hidden away under the 
two central dull brown tail feathers. Its flight 
through and among trees is very rapid and tortuous, 
and it is perhaps when in the dense clump of palm 
trees that it is most interesting, as it is so tame 
that it allows of a close approach. In any of 
the palm groves, and palms are everywhere in 
Egypt, the bird lover will be able to learn some- 
thing of this very Oriental Dove. The first thing 
he will note is that clearly some of the many that 
are flying here and there, and feeding on the ground 
around him, are quite young birds, even though it 
may be December or January, and it is certain that 
this true inhabitant of warm sunny Egypt has two 
broods at least in the year. 
