Other writers make the following notes on this 
pigeon: that it is partially migrant, “its appear- 
ance and disappearance being coincident with the 
ripening of forest fruits and berries;” it is said 
to be very difficult to observe when in the fig trees, 
its plumage being much the same colour as the 
leaves. The eggs are white, and two in number. 
The cry of this pigeon “‘is a soft whistle; the flesh 
is tender and of a delicate flavour.” 
LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. 
Of fruit pigeons I have only kept two kinds, 
and neither of them for very long. One was a 
large black and white pigeon, with feathered feet, 
from Australia (probably a White Nutmeg or 
Torres Straits pigeon), the other a_ beautiful 
specimen of Vinago delandei sent direct to a friend 
of mine by her brother out in Africa. 
My friend had no aviary, and, as ‘“‘Chibwana”’ 
was ailing, she asked me if I would take the bird 
and see if I could bring it round. She told me that 
he loved to be kept where the firelight fell on him, 
evidently thinking it was sunshine, and would 
now and then make a curious whistling sound. 
“Chib"’ arrived here one snowy day, and I did 
my best to nurse him back to health, but all in 
vain. It was evident he was not well, and at first 
he seemed disinclined to eat, and was very shy 
and nervous; instead of walking he hopped about 
in rather a clumsy fashion. He could eat nothing 
but boiled maize, though I tried chopped apple, 
dates, and figs. For a time he seemed better, and 
then again worse, and I decided, as it seemed a 
case of Kill or cure, I would give him a course of 
pigeon pills and tonic (though doubtful how they 
would suit a Fruit pigeon). For a time the bird 
greatly improved, and was a most docile patient 
to nurse, but I think I started his cure too late, 
for he died at the beginning of April; had his case 
been taken in hand sooner perhaps he might have 
recovered, but to handle a sick nervous bird often 
does more harm than good, and should not be 
attempted unless the need is great. A specimen 
of this beautiful pigeon was presented to the 
Zoological Gardens in 1892. I do not think any 
of the Fruit pigeons should be considered hardy. 
Mr. Swynnerton, who kept this particular Fruit 
pigeon in captivity in Africa, says of it, ‘‘They are 
stolid birds these in my aviary, even when freshly 
caught, allowing me to approach quite close before 
moving, and merely staring stupidly, though quite 
evidently in fear. The call is a piping ‘‘Kureti, 
Kureti, Kureti,’? followed by a harsh ‘‘Kurr-rr.”’ 
TYPICAL PIGEONS. 
(Columbidae). 
The Triangular Spotted Pigeon. 
The Spotted (or Spot-winged) Pigeon. 
The White Crowned Pigeon. 
The Rufous Pigeon. 
TRIANGULAR SPOTTED PIGEON. 37 
TRIANGULAR SPOTTED PIGEON. 
(Columba guinea). 
Habitat.—West Africa, from Senegal to Angola, 
and across Central Africa to East Africa, from 
Uniamnezi to Abyssinia, Sennaar, and Kordofan. 
Length.—About 13 inches. Shape, very strong, 
rather upright carriage. 
Colouring.—Principally dark ash grey, the neck 
reddish, the tips of the feathers being bifid. The 
wings are covered with white spots, triangular in 
shape, giving the bird a very distinctive look. 
There is a patch of bare red skin round the eye, 
the iris is also red, and so are the feet and legs. 
The sexes are very much the same in colouring, 
but the cock is rather larger and thicker looking 
than the hen; her spots on the wings are duller 
and smaller, and the naked skin round the eye not 
so large. 
WILD LIFE. 
Dr. Hopkinson tells us that the Triangular 
Spotted pigeon is known in Africa by the name of 
the Rhun pigeon from its fondness for building in 
the tall Rhun palms, and that the bird is only 
found in these parts where this palm tree grows. 
This pigeon is particularly common on McCarthy’s 
Island and the district round it; the note is a long 
drawn out ‘‘Ku,’’ followed by a series of shorter 
ones—Ku-ku-ku-ku. 
Von Henglin says that this pigeon frequents 
forests, mountains and plains, houses and ruins; it 
builds on the roofs of buildings, and in Abyssinia is 
the common domestic pigeon; it also nests in the 
Dolib palm trees. The Triangular is seen either 
in pairs or small flocks, feeding upon the roads or 
in the stubbles, and coming in the evening to drink 
at the pools; it breeds in our winter. We are also 
told that in its wild state this pigeon is very 
destructive to crops, and a great pest to the 
farmers, only leaving the fields when they retire 
to roost in the woods and rocks. 
LIFE IN CAPTIVITY. 
I have only kept two specimens of this hardy 
pigeon, and found both my cock and hen very 
harmless towards other inmates of the aviary; but 
they are too large birds for anywhere but a roomy 
place, and this is the chief reason why I have 
ceased to keep them. At the time I had my birds, 
some years ago, they were worth about 20/- a pair, 
but they have gone down in price, and lately I saw 
some offered for sale for almost less than half this 
sum, whilst a pair in rough plumage 
only 7/6. 
The late Mr. O. E. Cresswell wrote in January, 
1907 (in describing a visit to the Jardin D’acclima- 
tation in Paris), that the Triangular Spotted 
pigeon is ‘‘seldom to be met with in England, and 
then far too dear.’* There were several specimens 
were 
