Indian Green-xving Doves. 
91 
August, tliirteen clays old, about one day later than previous 
records. 1 saw both youngsters feeding on the 19th, this 
being seven days after their exit from the nest, but they were 
still fed by the male jjarent for another week. 
August Joth : (31d male chasing and driving hen, 
causing quite a commotion in the aviary. 21st, hen still having 
a bad time, but 1 noted this quarrel only lasted until the 
following day, when they appeared to have made up their 
differences; it was quite evident that nesting had finished for this 
season, and soon after both birds fell into their moult. 
Result : four strong, healthy youngsters — one male and 
three hens. 1 have bred (Ireen-wings every year since, and 
have a pair at present which was let into the wild flight on 
March 6th last. Tliey at once built in a spruce tree and laid 
tl'.eir tirst egg on the 13th, and the second the next day; the 
male sat closely on the nest during a heavy fall of hail and rain, 
with a fierce wind blowing. Talk about " hustle," the 
Americans aren't in it. 
The male is looking absolutely resplendent in hard and 
glistening plumage, his brilliant, scarlet, w^axy-looking beak 
contrasting finely with the white eye-brows and frontal band of 
his blue-grey liead, and the rich pur])lish-maroon colour of his 
breast. 
The laced and barred appearance of the youngsters in 
juvenile plumage gradually gives place to the more even tones 
of brown breast, and black and shot bronze and green of the 
upper-parts, until, at about three months old they appear very 
like adult hens, except that they are not quite so brilliant 
looking, and that the beak and legs are of a darker tone. When 
about ten weeks old the legs and beak may be noticed changing 
colour. 
The young males may be distinguished by the colour of 
the tail-feathers and lower back, this being of a decided blue- 
grey-black, like that of the male parent. The young" female 
has brownish-black tail, etc., as in the adult female; she is also 
of slightly inferior size, otherwise both sexes look like hens; 
these differences are somewhat comparative, but a keen observer 
could easily distinguish the male birds. These Doves are hardy 
and easy to cater for; they should, however, be transferred to a 
covered aviary during the winter, 
