252 NATURAL HISTORY OF BIRDS. 



known to break and fall from the weight of the birds gathered on them. The flocks 

 depart at sunrise and return at night, for they must go great distances to find food 

 sufficient to supply their needs. The arrival of the great host is an impressive sight. 

 Long before their crowded ranks appear, their approach is heralded by a sound 

 resembling the rising of a gale of wind, increasing in loudness until the birds hurl 

 themselves into their chosen nightly abode, when the din caused by the flapping of 

 myriads of wings, the struggles for a place upon the trees, the constant change 

 of position, and the crashing of overloaded branches, is so completely overpowering 

 that not only the human voice cannot be heard, but even the discharge of a gun 

 would pass unnoticed. At one time these roosts were not uncommon, but they are 

 gradually disappearing, for the wild-pigeon, like all other game, from lack of wise 

 and requisite protection in the United States, is being brought slowly but surely to 

 its final extermination. Such is a brief and cursory review of one of the most 

 extraordinary customs of this beautiful species. Lack of space compels us to pass on 

 tc the next genus of the family. 



This is Iantha?nas, containing eight or ten species ; birds of rich and handsome 

 plumage, having considerable metallic lustre. They are inhabitants of the Moluccan, 

 Papuan, and Polynesian islands. One species, I. ianthina, found in Japan, is not unlike 

 in plumage a species (I. metallicct) from Timor. This last is remarkable for the metallic 

 hues of its plumage, which are lustrous greenish-purple, with various brilliant reflections. 

 Another species from the Fijis I. vitiensis has the entire plumage bluish ash 

 color, with a metallic purple lustre, changing to bright green on head and neck ; the 

 back, rump, and breast also metallic green, with the wing and upper tail-coverts edged 

 and tipped with the same. The throat is white. This beautiful bird is not uncommon 

 in the Fiji Islands, where it is seen in parties of three or four. It is about fourteen 

 inches in length. 



A species from several of the Papuan Islands has been placed in a distinct genus, 

 and called G-ymnophaps albertisii, on account of a bare space around the eye, large 

 feet like Carphophaga, and some other characters. In some parts of New Guinea this 

 species is rather rare, but small parties of eight or ten were seen on the Fly River. It 

 is only lately that this bird has been brought to the notice of naturalists. 



The last genus of the family Colmnbidae is Columba, formed by Linnaeus, and con- 

 taining a large number of species found throughout certain portions of the Old and 

 the New Woi'ld. It is characterized chiefly by a moderate bill, with the basal half of 

 the maxilla covered with a soft cartilaginous substance; the apical half hard, arched, 

 and hooked at the tip. The nostrils are placed towards the middle of the bill, and the 

 skin is swollen above them. The wings are moderate and pointed, the tail rather 

 short, even, or rounded, the toes moderate and free at the base. The genus has been 

 sub-divided by authors into many sections, but it is not necessary to notice these in 

 this article. The birds of this genus go in flocks of various magnitude, sometimes 

 performing migrations of more or less extent, according to the diversity of climate. 

 They frequent woods and feed on acorns, beech-nuts, or seek grain in the cultivated 

 fields. Some species again dwell among rocks, making their nests in holes or fissures 

 in the sides of precipitous cliffs. There are many large and stately species comprised 

 in the genus, and some of very beautiful and attractive plumage. Only a few can be 

 noticed here. One of the best known is probably the C. cenas, or stock-pigeon of 

 Europe. It is about thirteen inches in length, of a general bluish gray plumage, with 

 the sides of head and neck glossed with metallic green. Breast vinous red. It is a 



