PALUMBIN^. 463 



chiefly on the fruit of the Jainoon {EngeJila jumbolana) morning 

 and evening, and roost during the heat of the day on the upper- 

 most branches of lofty trees. They are wary, and difficult of 

 approach. In Ceylon they appear to be migratory, and, according 

 to Layard, feed on the fruit of the Cinnamon tree. 



The next bird diflers somewhat in its type and coloration, and 

 is separated by systematists as Dendrotrerun, Hodgson. 



783. Alsocomus Hodgsonii, Vigors. 



Columba, apud Vigors, P. Z. S. 1832 — C. nipalensis, Hodgson 

 — Blyth, Cat. 1410. 



The Speckled Wood-pigeon. 



Descr. — Above, dark vinaceous-ruddy, with white specks on 

 the medial wing-coverts ; head, and the upper part of the front 

 of the neck, cinereous, Avith more or less of a ruddy tinge ; nape 

 vinous-grey, with pointed clear grey tips ; rump and upper tail- 

 coverts dusky ash ; outer wing-coverts greyish ; quills brownish 

 dusky, the first three primaries having a slight whitish outer 

 margin (in some specimens) ; tail ashy black ; sides of the neck, 

 and lower parts vinous grey, with a ruddy mesial streak to each 

 feather most developed on the breast, less so on the neck, and the 

 lower abdomen becoming dark vinous ; flanks speckled with white ; 

 under tail-coverts dusky-ash. 



Bill pu.rplish black ; irides hoary ; orbital space livid ; legs and 

 feet blackish green in front, yellow behind ; claws pale yellow. 

 Length 15 inches ; extent 26 ; wing 9 to 9^ ; tail 6. 



The female is rather smaller, with the blue grey of the head 

 less pale and clear, and the ruddy parts duller. 



This fine Pigeon inhabits the forests of the middle region of 

 the Himalayas, ranging in Nepal, from 4,000 to 10,000 feet of 

 elevation. In Sikim it keeps chiefly to the higher ranges, from 

 7,000 feet to 10,000 feet and upwards. It is not found on the 

 outer range of hills in the North-west Himalaya?, but is far 

 from rare on the Fyne range and other mountains, somewhat in 

 the interior, where Ely th was informed that it is tolerably numerous, 

 frec^uenting the Pine-forests. They are generally seen in flocks 



