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The animal on the cover of Zero Configuration Networking: The Definitive Guide is a turtle dove. Originally from the arid woodlands of Africa, turtle doves were once domesticated birds, but escapees from aviaries have resulted in a wide distribution over many areas, including southern Africa, eastern Asia, Europe, and North America. Today, these doves are a migratory species that tend to live in clusters in savannas and grasslands. They are also still bred in captivity and often used for scientific experiments. Currently, the turle dove population is in steady decline due to hunting and constant changes in farming practices, which deplete its food supply of weeds and shoots.

The turtle dove is brownish, slightly darker than other doves, and can be recognized by striped feathers on its neck. Its wedge-shaped tail has distinctive white borders that are highly visible when the bird takes flight. It has a black bill and red rims around the eyes.

Males and females both incubate a clutch of eggs. In captivity, female doves group together and take turns caring for their clutches. However, one female eventually adopts the chicks and nourishes them with regurgitated “dove milk.”

The bird’s name has nothing to do with actual turtles. The arrival ...

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