THE PEACEFUL DOVE 



27 



centre of abdomen white; central tail feathers greyish-brown, the 

 remainder chestnut tipped with white; irides yellow; naked skin round 

 the eye purple; feet pink. Total length 11 inches, wing 5.5, tail 5.5, 

 bill 0.7, tarsus 1. 



Nest a frail structure of twigs, not usually high 

 up, on which two white eggs are laid. They measure 1.12 x .89 

 inch. 



Little Dove : Geopelia cuneata. 



Australian Museujn. 

 Peaceful Dove: G. tranquUla. 



The Peaceful Dove. 



Geopelia tranquUla. 



Australia. 



Forehead, cheeks and throat grey; occiput, back and wings ashy- 

 brown; each feather black at the end; neck with numerous narrow black 

 and white bands; breast and sides pale vinous; abdomen and under tail- 

 coverts white; four central tail feathers ashy-brown, the rest black, 

 tipped with white; irides light grey. Total length 8.75 inches, wing 4, 

 tail 4.75, bill 0.62, tarsus 0.62. 



When uttering their sustained coo, these birds use an 

 elaborate ceremonial, bowing low with the head and elevating 

 the tail. In their excess of politeness, some we have in 

 captivity occasionally lose their balance and actually tumble 

 off the perch. 



Nest a very small frail platform, composed of twigs, rootlets 

 or grass. The two eggs are pure white, and measure .86 x .60 

 inch. 



