318 
DOVES IN CONFINEMENT. 
The Turtle Dove is more slender in its form, and smaller altogether 
than either of the preceding species, being but little over eleven 
inches in length ; the head is light bluish grey ; the back greyish 
brown; the shoulders and small wing coverts black, with broad light 
red margins ; the breast pale greyish purple ; on the neck are two 
large black spots, bounded with white, hence the term Ring-necked, or 
Collared Turtle applied to it. We know not whether it is this or 
gome other collared species the Persian poet alludes to — 
Know'st thou why round his neck the dovo 
A collar wears ? It is to' tell 
He is the faithful slave of love. 
And serves all those who serve him well. 
This is a strictly migratory species, arriving in England at the end 
of spring, and dispersing itself over many of the southern and eastern 
counties. A few individuals have been seen in Scotland. Its habits 
are similar to those of the Wood Pigeon. Bechstein describes it as 
a very favourite and cleanly chamber bird, which makes itself parti- 
cularly agreeable, not only by its beauty, tarneness, and affectionate 
disposition, but because it is supposed to attract to itself the diseases 
of the owner — which belief, we need hardly say, is a fallacy. The 
cooing of the male is very peculiar, consisting of a deep humming 
kind of noise. It has been known to live eight or nine years in 
confinement. It is this species which has been looked upon above all 
others as the emblem of devoted affection, and to which, when the 
poets specify a particular kind of dove at all, they most frequently al- 
lude. Thus, Leonard Digges, a writer of the sixteenth century, says: — 
VVhen thou in native thoughts didst imitate 
The simple Turtle Dove, 
And constant wert ; I still did consecrate 
To thy true faith, firm love. 
That rural bird doth never range ; 
Fix'd to her mate, affects no change. 
And the incomparable Sir Philip Sidney says: — 
Time doth work what no man knowcth, 
Time doth us the subject prove ; 
"With tinic still affection growetli 
To the faithful Turtle Dove. 
DOVES IN CONFINEMENT. 
Owing to their seldom or never becoming thoroughly domesticated 
so that it would be safe to leave them at liberty, these birds cannot 
be kept in the open Pigeon-house or Dove-cot, as it is often called. 
They are, therefore, commonly confined in large wicker cages, or placed 
in an aviary with a wire netting in front. In every other respect 
they are to be treated like the Pigeons, for the keeping, feeding, 
&c., of which directions are given farther on. Foreign Doves from 
tropical countries of course require a greater degree of warmth than 
Others, and must be carefully protected in winter. 
