COLUMBID^. 235 



[Mr. Andersson's last collection contained a specimen of 

 Streptopelia semitorquata, obtained at the river Cunene on 

 June 25, 1867.— Ed.] 



283. (Ena Capensis (Linn.). Black- throated Dove. 



La Tourterelle a cravatte noire, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pis. 273, 274, 



275. 

 (Ena capensis, Gumey, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Sec. 1864, p. 3. 



„ „ Layard's Cat. No. 608. 



Columha capensis, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 411. 



This exquisite little Dove inhabits most parts of 

 Ovampo, Damara, and Great Namaqua Land, but is 

 most abundant in the latter country, and is known by 

 the name of " Namaqua Dove " to the Dutch Cape- 

 colonists. 



This species occurs in pairs, and is chiefly found 

 frequenting the ground ; and when disturbed, it seeks 

 shelter in low trees or bushes, but rarely in the larger 

 trees. It feeds on seeds ; and its flesh is very palatable. 

 It constructs its nest on a low bush of similar materials 

 to those employed by its congeners, but with rather 

 more care. Its two white eggs have a rosy tint, from 

 the thinness and semitransparency of the shell. 



The irides are dark brown, legs and toes light purple ; 

 the basal parts of the bill purple, the anterior parts yellow. 



Measurements of a male and a female : — 



Male. Female, 



in. lln, in. lin. 



Entire length 99 94 



Length of folded wing 

 „ tarsus . . 

 „ middle toe . 

 ,, tail . . . 

 „ hill . . . 



4 4 4 2 



7 6 



6 6 



6 7 6 2 



7 7 



