(1874) Streptopelia chinensis tigrina.
THE BURMESE SPOTTED DOVE.
Columba tigrina Temm., Les Pigeons, p. 94 (1810) (Java). Turtur tigrinus. Blanf. & Outes, iv, p. 44.
Vernacular names. Gyo, Gyo-te-byonk (Burm.); Nok-kao-yai (Siam).
Description, Differs from the Indian Spotted Dove in having no rufous spots on the back, whilst those on the wing-coverts, scapulars and inner secondaries are absent or obsolete ; the outer webs of the median coverts are pale vinous-brown and the greater coverts are the same with pale grey edges instead of all grey as in S. c. suratensis; the white on the underparts is less and is often replaced with pale fulvous-brown.
Colours of soft parts as in the other races. Sambawa birds are said to have the iris bright pale yellow and those from Menado and Talisse Islands brown.
Measurements. Wing 137 to 155 mm.
Distribution. Bengal, East of the Bay; Burma, Siam, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra to Tenier and Moluccas. Cachar birds are intermediate.
Nidification. The Burmese Spotted Dove breeds practically all the year round and in similar situations to those selected by the last bird. Twice, however, Mr. C. W. Allan found nests of this bird actually on the ground, composed of a few sticks placed on the top of fallen leaves and with no attempt at concealment. Fifty eggs average 27.6 x 21.9 mm.: maxima 37.7 x 21.0 and 27.6 x 23.8 mm.; minima 26.0 x 22.0 and 27.4 X 19.3 mm.
Habits. Similar to those of the preceding bird.
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