64 
The Eiiduyaiicc of Birds. 
soft i)uri)le; wiii.^s very beautiful, having four rows of glitter- 
ing metallic feathers, varying from greenish gold, fiery copper, 
to rich violet, according to the play of light. 
It ranges over Australia and Tasmania and favours sterile 
plains, feeding almost exclusively on grass seeds; it nests in the 
holes of trees at a low elevation, or on the horizontal branch of 
a tree, and often on the ground. Two white eggs form the 
clutch. 
It is very hardy and also a free breeder in captivity, and 
is very amiable with other species of doves as a rule — frequent 
nesting notes have a]:)peared in our pages, and there is no need 
for me to enlarge thereupon. It has bred several times in my 
aviaries. 
H.\Li--coLLARKn TuHTLK Dovic (T lii'tiir soiiiturquatus). 
This is an African species about 12 inches long, strongly built 
but of fine form. 
General body colour rich vinous, pinkish on the breast; 
forehead whitish-grey. A black collar edged with grey above 
and below passes round the hinder part of the neck. 
These are very variable in demeanoin^ in captivity, some 
pairs being very bold and somewhat pugnacious ; others very 
timid and shrink from the other occupants of the aviary however 
small, but will turn and fight stoutly if " cornered." As a rule 
all the squabs hatched ottt are fully reared. I have found it quite 
hardy. Its food in captivity is small grain and seed. 
B.\R]!ARY Turtle Dove (T.nsoniis). This commonly 
kept and w-ell known species does not call for comment. Its 
hardiness and readiness to breed are well known, and I will only 
add that I have found them useful as foster parents to hatch out 
and rear the young of the rarer species of doves and I have, 
except in the very ancient past, only kept them for that purpose. 
Skxegal Turtle Dove (T . sciicgalciisis ) . This dove has 
a distinctly pleasing appearance, and is quite as easy to domesti- 
cate about one's garden and grounds as the preceding species. 
During the nesting season it is aggressive, but at other times, 
