TIIK GKOUNn riGKOX. 373 



dissemination, of this valuable spice ; for the nutmeg itself, which is generally swallowed 

 with the whole of its pulpy coverino', p;isso8 uninjured through the digestive organs of 

 the birds, and is tlius dispersed tliroughoiit the group of tlie 3Ioluccas and other islands 

 of the East. Indeed, from repeated experiments, it appears tliatan artificial preparation, 

 analogous to that which it undergoes in its passage thi-ough the bird, is necessary to 

 ensure the growth and fertility of the nut ; and it was not till after many unsuccessful 

 attempts had been made, that a lixivium of lime, in which the nuts were steeped for a 

 certain time, was found to have the wished-for effect, and to induce the germinating 

 (eudency. The fruit of the Banyan (Ficiia Indira), the sacred tree of the Hindoos, 

 is also a favourite repast of many pigeons. 



Pigeons, it may be remarked, constitute a large and varied tribe. They are naturally 

 birds of a wild and timid disjiositiou, though one species has been partly I'eclaimed ; and 

 usually live congregated in extensive flocks, except during the season of reproduction, 

 when the}' pair. ^lost of the sjjecies seek their fo(xl upon the ground. This consists 

 of the difterent cerealia, as also acorns, beech-mast, and other seeds, and occasionally, 

 of the green and tender leaves of peculiar plants. They drink much ; not at intervals 

 like other birds, but by a continued draught, like the quadrupeds. Their flesh is 

 sapid and nvitritious, being of a warm and invigorating nature. Their flight is powerful, 

 very rapid, and can be long sustained, and many species are in the habit of making 

 distant periodical migrations. They are widely disseminated, species of the genus 

 being found in every quarter of the globe, and in all climates, except the frozen 

 regions of the two hemispheres. TKey build in frees or holes of rocks, making a 

 shallow nest of small tmgs loosely put together. Their eggs are never more than 

 two in number, their colour a pure white ; they are incubated alternately by both 

 sexes, and are hatched after being sat upon from eighteen to twenty-one days. The 

 young, upon exclusion, are thinly covered with down, which is rapidly succeeded by 

 the proper feathers. 



In no tribe of the feathered race do we meet with a plumage better adapted to gratify 

 and delight the ej'e, than that of the pigeons ; for among the nmnerous species of 

 which it is composed, there exists a di\-ersity as well as a brilliancy of effect, that 

 cannot be contemplated without admiration. In some, the plumage shines with a 

 dazzling and metallic gloss, varying in tint with every motion of the bird, and which 

 vies in lustre with that of the diminutive and sparkling humming-bird. Such is that of 

 the C'arpojihaga (enea, Occanka, and many other species. In other genera, as Vinago and 

 PtUinopus, the plumage is admirably assimilated to the arboreal habits of the pigeons, 

 consisting of delicate shades of yellows and vivid greens, just suiHciently contrasted 

 with smaller masses of richer or more resplendent hues to produce the happiest 

 effect. In the typical groups again, a modest, yet chaste assortment of colours 

 generally prevails, and which, though less striking at first sight, never fails to give 

 permanent satisfaction to the ej'e. As the species approach the true Rasorial tribes, 

 the colours become more uniform in tint, but still in certain lights are encircled 

 by glossy reflexions, which especially prevail upon the region of the neck and 

 breast. 



In texture, the plumage is generally close and compressed, and the feathers feel hard and 

 firm to the touch, from the thickness and strength of the rachis or shaft. Upon the neck 

 thej'' assume a variety of forms, in some species being rounded and stiff', and disjiosed in a 

 scale-Uke fashion ; in others they are of an open disunited texture, or with the tips divided 

 and curiously notched ; and in the hackled and nicobar pigeons, they are long and acuminate, 

 like those of the domestic cock ; and we may add, that in nearly all, they are so con- 

 stituted as to reflect prismatic colours, when held at various angles to the light. 



In all the species of the genus Vinago submitted to examination, the third quill has 



