316 &V T. S. Raffles's Descriptive Catalogue 



in the neighbourhood of Bencoolen, and are always seen fly in 2; 

 about in the evening. They make no nests, but lay their eggs 

 on the bare ground. 



COLUMBA. 



POONAI. ^J.s 



\. COLUMBA Jambu, GmeL 



Poonai Jambu. yf**-tfj> 



A most beautiful species, about ten inches in length, green 

 above, pure white beneath. Head crimson, a stripe of deep 

 cinnamon colour on the throat below the bill. A softened 

 crimson spot on the middle of the breast. Tail-feathers equal, 

 green, like the back, with whitish or cinereous tips. Lower 

 tail-coverts fulvous. Bill yellow, nearly straight. A yel- 

 lowish naked space round the eyes. Irids orange. Legs 

 feathered nearly to the toes, which are red. 



This species varies considerably at different ages. When very 

 young it is almost entirely green. The head first assumes its 

 red colour by degrees, the lower parts next become lighter, and 

 it is not till the period of maturity that they acquire their full 

 whiteness. The red spot on the breast is the last colour that 

 appears ; and it is doubtful whether the female ever has it. 



2. COLUMBA iENEA, Linn. 



PERGAM. Jji 



This is a very large and beautiful species, exceeding fifteen 

 inches in length. The back and wings are of a brilliant deep 

 green with a variable gloss of gold and copper. The head, 

 neck and under-parts are of a claret-coloured grey. The tail 



above 



