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Carl Naether—Breeding Activities of Foreign Doves



the bottom of the brooder. In falling it must have hurt its legs, for

it could not stand. I kept it alive for a few days longer, but I could

see that even if it lived it would always be a helpless cripple, so I had

to destroy it. What a pity ; it deserved a better fate. Thus ended

our hopes of a young King this year.


The Pennant’s, a fine breeding pair, laid seven eggs. Six hatched

out ; one of them, however, hatched several days after the others,

and it was always rather a weakling, no doubt not getting its share

of food. I was almost certain that it would never survive, so I decided

once again to try my hand at rearing it. I took it away from its

parents and placed it in the brooder. This time, instead of using

the nest log, I made use of a small box with a lid. I meant to have no

more climbing out, for I had learnt my lesson. I gave it the same

treatment as I had given to the King. It was surprising how quickly

it grew. Soon it was as large as its brothers and sisters, which were

left with their parents. It is now able to feed itself, and is quite strong

and a good flyer. It is never so happy as when it is being petted, and

likes to perch on one’s shoulder.



BREEDING ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN DOVES


By Carl Naether


Indian Green-winged Dove (Chalcophaps indica ).—A breeding

pair of these handsome but shy birds was kept in an aviary with some

Finches, Canaries, and Diamond Doves. Not until the second year

did they nest ; then in a semi-dark corner. Always the bird sitting

on the nest would fly off at my approach, no matter how gently I

entered their aviary. Their first setting of eggs came on 14th May,

and on 31st May one squab hatched, the other egg being infertile.

I was very agreeably surprised to find the parents very solicitous about

the youngster. This was the case even after he left the nest on 15tb

June, when he was hardly able to fly. On 29th June he was feeding

himself ; at night he always slept huddled close to his father. The

outstanding characteristic of this pair of Green-wings is that they

are shy birds, but excellent parents.



