Abstract
In the fall of 1984 I went to Jakarta
to try to find pheasant pigeons, of
which I found nine, and made
arrangements to import them. As
long as I was going to the trouble of
getting permits and quarantine space,
it seemed wise to bring in other doves
and pigeons with them. There were
twelve or so superbs (Ptilinopus
superbus) and a small number of
black napes (Ptilinopus melanospila),
along with other seed eating
doves and pigeons. In years past I had
a pair of green imperial pigeons
which were very easy to keep and
breed. The availability of fruit doves
was poor, but with this import I really
got involved with them.
In 1985 I received more superbs
and black napes and a small number
of black backs (Ptilinopus cineta)
with a promise of more. I foolishly let
go of pairs and was left with five
males. Of course, I never received any
more black backs. Then, in 1986, I
received some pink necked doves
(Ptilinopus porphyres) from Singapore.
In 1987 I received a few pairs of
pink necked green pigeons (Treron
vernens) and thick-billed green
pigeons (Treron curvirostra), also
from Singapore. The same year I purchased
a pair of Jambu fruit doves
(Ptilinopus jambu) from an importer
in southern California. These were
new imports. All birds I have had
were new, wild-trapped birds which,
I feel, are the easiest to work with.