HYBRIDIZATION OF GOLUMBA PALUMBUS. 403 



plumage. This is the first time that both birds have lived so 

 long. Last year, in each case, the hen died on the fifth day, and 

 the cock on the eleventh." It happened, however, that just at the 

 time when I was about to give up my experiments success arrived. 

 In September, 1899, 1 reared a Ring-Dove hybrid that has proved 

 one of the healthiest and hardiest of the Pigeon tribe. On 21st 

 January, 1902, this bird was forwarded to me from 888, Bowery, 

 New York. It arrived in excellent condition, and, notwith- 

 standing nine months' absence, it recognized me again. 



My letters, published in the 'Field' during 1897, and my 

 subsequent articles, published by Mr. Upcott Gill, have brought 

 me many interesting replies from different parts of the world. 

 Some ornithologists had reared hybrids to the stage mentioned 

 in my notes (1899), but it was only recently that I received the 

 following : — " I read with pleasure your recent paper on the 

 Wood-Pigeon hybrid. You may care to have the enclosed 

 photograph of a hybrid youngster bred some twelve or fifteen 

 years since. The parents of this bird were a red chequer Homer 

 cock and a very tame hand-reared Ring-Dove hen. The hybrid 

 is a light red chequer, taking after the hen bird in shape and 

 size. I had some six or seven nests, but never more than one 

 egg in a nest was fertile. The bird photographed was the only 

 bird that lived until feathered. All the young were strong and 

 apparently healthy birds," &c. 



The photograph enclosed was unfortunately taken from a 

 stuffed specimen, and therefore worthless for publication; but I 

 deeply appreciated the kindness and interest of this gentleman, 

 and invite any readers of ' The Zoologist' to write to me upon 

 this subject.* Photographs of hybrids will always be acceptable, 

 and possibly an exchange can be made. 



A reference to the accompanying Plate may induce the most 

 critical to acknowledge the success of my work. C is the hybrid 

 bred September, 1899; B is mated to the hybrid, and the mother 

 of the young bird A, now two months old. B is a long distance 

 flying Homer. The position of the birds permits of comparison. 

 The flight-feathers and general construction of the wings (A) 



* Letters addressed "The Zoological Society of London" will receive 

 due attention, or I could arrange interviews between 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on 

 Mondays at the office. 



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