PIGEONS. 



257 



Ocean as far to the eastwards as the Marquesas. Many islands have but one species, 

 some contain a number, and the distribution of the different forms is often puzzling 

 sometimes almost inexplicable. But this is not the place to discuss the geographical 

 distribution of any ornithological group, and we pass on to consider the plumage of 



A S 



these birds. This is most varied and attractive, the colors being so brilliant and con- 

 trasting in their different hues as to challenge admiration, and frequently to cause 

 their possessors to appear among the loveliest of feathered creatures. The members 

 of the genus have been divided into two great groups, distinguished by havino- the 

 breast-feathers bifurcate and non-bifurcate. The first of them contains from twenty- 

 five to thirty species, the second about fifty. Where all are so beautiful it is difficult 

 to make selections to present as examples of the genus. 



Among those separated as having the front and top of head purple or deep rose, 

 margined with yellow or pale green, may be mentioned P. roseicripillus, from the 

 Ladrone or Mariana Islands. It has the upper part of the breast grayish green, feathers 

 tipped with pearly white ; the lo wer part crossed by a green band, with a large, deep purple 

 spot in the centre ; abdomen orange, centre yellowish green ; under tail-coverts bright 

 yellow, rich orange at their tips. Tail pale green, tipped broadly with yellowish 

 white. Another more beautiful is P.perousei, from the Samoan, Fiji, and Friendly 

 isles. The forehead and crown and a broad band across the back are dark, purplish- 

 red ; head, neck, and throat, abdomen, flanks, and crissum yellowish white ; feathers 

 of breast split, rose-red at their base, rest yellowish white. Beneath these is a band of 

 reddish orange ; the under tail-coverts are dark, purplish red. The wings are pale gray ; 

 the tail grayish white. Bill and feet black. It is difficult to conceive a more beauti- 

 fully arrayed creature than is this bird. It is about eight and a half inches in length. 

 It dwells in the mountain defiles of the islands it inhabits, but is not abundant. The 

 native name for it among the Fijis is mamc-ma, shame or modest-bird. The young 

 are so differently colored that they might easily be mistaken for a distinct species. 

 Both of the above have the breast-feathers bifurcate. 



Of the next group with non-bifurcate feathers, which has nearly double the num- 

 ber of membei's, the P. insolitus is remarkable for having the forehead and base of 

 culmen covered by a large, bony protuberance, rounded in shape and red in color. 

 The general plumage is a bright, bronzy green, with the abdomen deep orange-crimson, 

 and the under tail-coverts bright yellow. This curious species is a native of New 

 Ireland and Duke of York Island of the Louisiade archipelago. A very pretty 

 species the smallest of the genus is P. namis^ with a general bronzy-green plumage, 

 a gray band on each side of the breast, a purple spot in the centre of the abdomen, 

 and all the wing-coverts tipped with yellow. It is from New Guinea and Mysol. 

 P.jambu, from Malacca, Sumatra, Borneo, and Luzon, has the forehead, crown, and 

 sides of face scarlet; the top of the head with an amethyst tint; the upper part of 

 throat and chin black ; the rest of under parts of body are white, washed with rose 

 on the breast ; the under tail-coverts deep chestnut ; upper parts and wings dark 

 green, as is also the tail, but with a gray band at the tip. Length, ten inches. This 

 species is common in certain of the localities it frequents, and feeds on fruits, especially 

 of the different species of Ficus. Another most lovely bird is P. wallacei, from the 

 Aru and Kei islands ; but probably the most brilliant of all, so far as color may be 

 considered, is the P. victor, from the Fiji Islands. This feathered gem has the head 

 and throat dull olive-green, and the entire rest of plumage bright orange-carmine ; 

 the tail is brownish orange, graduating into pure orange at the tip. This dove is said 

 VOL. iv. 17 



