The Cape Dove. 
121 
and a wet, mild winter is more likely to carry them off than ,1 
very severe and frosty one, and for those aviarists whose aviaries 
are built upon clay and other wet-retaining- soils, this species 
had better be kept in a dry shed from October to April inclusive, 
but they certainly do not need artificial heat. 
They are handsome birds in the aviary, and are soon 
noticed by visitors; the creamy hues of the under plumage, 
warm brown of the upper surface, orange-crimson beaks, and 
'deep red legs and feet, make them very attractive and single 
them out for notice at once; equally so does their graceful 
contour and deportment ; neither is their call (coo) H 00-roo-rao, 
disturbing or unmusical. 
I cannot describe them as free breeders, for but few 
instances are on record of the successful rearing of young. 
Some pairs are poor brooders of the young, then if the weather 
be at all cold they soon succumb, even if all but fully fledged. 
During the past few years a few young have been successfully 
reared by Mr. H. E. Bright in his aviaries near Liverpool.* 
Thus, they can be bred, and I see no reason why they should not 
be bred more freely in the future. One of the difficulties th it 
has stood in the w^ay of this has been, that hitherto most of the 
consignments have consisted almost entirely of males, and with 
a species in wdiich the plumage of the sexes is so distinct this can 
be easily remedied by importers. Odd birds of this species are 
certainly dull, lethargic and uninteresting, but a mated pair 
are very different. 
I should say the probability of them breeding in a cage 
or large box is remote, but given a roomy shed or quarters in 
an outdoor aviary there is a reasonable prospect of their doing 
so. 
Their diet in captivity is mainly millet and canary seed, 
and upon this they do well, though they certainly pick over a 
small grain mixture, but soon turn again to the seed-pan. 
* Short details appeared in Bird Notes, 1919 and 1920 Vols. 
