222 
OUR HOME BIRDS. 
An English writer describes such a case which he 
witnessed. ‘ A female turtle-dove/ he says, ‘ having 
been unfortunately killed by a spaniel in the absence 
of the male, the disconsolate survivor, after having 
searched in vain in all places where he might hope to 
find his mate, came and mournfully perched upon the 
wonted trough, waiting patiently for her to repair 
thither for food ; but after two days of unavailing 
expectation he, by voluntary abstinence, pined and 
died on the place/ ” 
Clara and Edith thought this very sad indeed as 
they expressed their desire to have a pair of turtle- 
doves of their own ; but Miss Harson laughingly 
told them that they would need an aviary to ac- 
commodate all the feathered pets they had longed 
to possess. 
