OF THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 23 



It probably pairs for life, but makes a new nest for each brood. It cannot be 

 regarded as gregarious during the breeding season, but numbers of pairs nest 

 within comparatively small areas of suitable country, and as soon as the young 

 are reared the birds begin to flock. Its favourite haunts are wooded mountain 

 sides, pine forests, groves and clusters of trees. The note in the breeding season 

 is described as a thrice-repeated gutteral coo, and unlike that of other Doves. 

 The nest is generally placed not far from the extremity of a horizontal branch, 

 and is a circular, flat, mat-like structure of neatly arranged twigs, the cavity in 

 the centre being somewhat deep. Hume states that the nest is rather more 

 substantial than that of many other Turtle Doves. Of the actions of the birds 

 at the nest I find nothing of special interest recorded. The eggs of the Eastern 

 Turtle Dove are two in number, oval in form, glossy, and pure white. They are 

 on an average 1'2 inch in length, by '92 inch in breadth. Incubation is performed 

 by both sexes, and lasts about sixteen days." 



Diagnostic cliaracters — Turtur, with the under tail coverts and the 

 pale tips to the rectrices slate-grey. Length, 12 inches. 



