The Endurance of Birds. 
63 
The Endurance of Birds. 
By Weslf.y T. Page, F.Z.S., etc. 
Continued fro)ii page 44. 
Bronze-necked Dove (Zcnaida auriculata) . A handsome 
South American species, which is somewhat similar in appear- 
ance to the Aurita Dove (Z. aurita). but on a close inspection 
differs materially in certain plumatic markings. The principal 
body colouration is brownish-olive, whitish merging into white 
at ventral region; head vinous, crown grey, with a black spot 
behind each eye and a similar black spot below the ear coverts ; 
sides of neck glistening violet, metallic bras.sy in certain lights. 
In 1898 I received two young birds of this species, which 
passed a fairly hard winter out of doors without apparent dis- 
comfort, but on assuming" adult plumage proved to be two 
males and became so agressive towards the other doves in the 
aviary, that being unable to procure hens I parted with them, 
really having too many species of doves for my mixed collection 
and accommodation. However, I opine that a true pair 
would not have proved so troublesome, and I also think had 
there been any odd hens of a near species they would have mated 
and settled down. As it was, their aggressiveness towards the 
males of the other mated species prevented any chance of suc- 
cessful breeding, so I reluctantly had to let these handsome 
birds go, for lack of accommodation to house them separately, 
till able to find them mates. 
Bronze-winged Dove (Phaps chalco ptera ) . This very 
fine dove is a largish species, being some 15 inches in length, i.e. 
from tip of beak to end of tail (measurements are taken from 
skins and often are a little in excess of the living bird, owing to 
stretching during the process of preservation), it is also stoutly 
built; nevertheless there is nothing clumsy about it either in 
form or movement. 
The body colouring is a mottled arrangement of ruddy 
brown; forehead rich buff; crown olive: facial streaks purple 
above the eye and white below; sides of neck slate grey; breast 
