LESSER ORANGE-BREASTED GREEN PIGEON 57 



It is probably a very irregular breeder, generally building its nest during 

 the months from January to March, but sometimes not until April or even 

 May, and having a second brood in the months of July and September. 



Layard describes its nest as formed of sticks, with a slight linmg of roots, 

 etc., placed in the fork of a tree. 



My own correspondents describe the nest as being of the usual character, 

 built of small twigs, roughly interlaced, and with no lining whatsoever. 



It should be noted that all the gentlemen who have sent me eggs, or 

 notes upon the nidification of this Pigeon, agree that it is very partial to 

 big forest-trees as sites for its nest, and that it commonly builds them on a 

 large horizontal bough at a very considerable height from the ground. 



The eggs in my collection only differ from those of Osmotreron bisincta 

 domvillii in being decidedly smaller. Eight eggs average 1.04 in. ( = 26.3 mm.) 

 by .85 ( = 21.6 mm.). The largest 1.10 in. ( = 28.0 mm.) by .88 ( = 22.35 mm.) 

 and the smallest 1.0 in. ( = 25.4 mm.) by .83 ( = 21 mm.). 



There is nothing to record about this bird's habits which differ 

 from those of the Common Orange-breasted Pigeon. 



It is very common in parts of Ceylon, Travancore, and in Malabar, 

 but outside these districts seems to be very rare, wandering into south- 

 east Madras only as an occasional straggler. The species, both this 

 and domvillii, seems to require forest or extremely well wooded country 

 of considerable humidity, and is rare or absent in the more dry zones. 

 Legge records about the bird : " The Orange- breasted Green Pigeon 

 affects the low jungle, the outskirts of the forest, detached rows of trees 

 in open country, and sundry other localities where its favourite fruit 

 abounds. It associates in small parties as a rule, but collects in large 

 flocks in trees which are in heavy fruit. Its favourite fruit consists 

 of the berries of the Bo, Banyan, Pala and PoppaUlle trees ; on them it 

 feeds with such avidity that it will return to the trees very shortly 

 after being shot at. Its flight is swift, and when returning from its 

 feeding-grounds in a continuous stream at evening time, affords good 

 shooting as it crosses the roads in the northern and eastern jungles. 

 This and the next species are much shot by the natives who possess 

 guns. They take up their position beneath some fruit-bearing 

 monarch of the forest, and shoot the Pigeon as they fly to feed in 

 the mornings. It has a regular time, like other Fruit-Pigeons and 

 Doves, for drinking, which is about seven in the morning and 

 four in the afternoon. The flesh of this species is succulent and 

 well-flavoured, but is not so delicate as that of the next bird 

 [^pompadora]. 



" Its note is a hoarse croak, repeated at intervals, but it is usually 

 a silent bird. 



