108 INDIAN PIGEONS AND DOVES 



trees to rest. Although the day was unfavourable and ramy, I killed 

 about a dozen of these fine Pigeons, and several natives who were there 

 with guns for the piu-pose of shooting them, assured me they often killed 

 from one to two dozen daily, simply remaining in one spot. Had I not 

 secured the birds myself in this locaUty, I confess I would barely have 

 credited the account I received of these mountain residents descending 

 to the Plains during the hottest season of the year." 



Bourdillon, quoted by Hume in Stray Feathers, says that in Travan- 

 core it is an abundant species, " occurring at all elevations from the base 

 to the very summit of the hiUs, wherever there is heavy forest. As the 

 generic name imphes, their food consists entirely of the larger jungle-fruits, 

 and they appear to be very greedy feeders, stuffing themselves to repletion 

 with any favourite fruit. Their note is a peculiar deep moaning coo, 

 but in addition to this they utter a low guttural croak of suspicion 

 while seated motionless on some bough, should anything unusual 

 attract their attention. They take some time getting under weigh, but 

 once well started their flight is rapid, and they can carry off a large 

 quantity of shot." 



Major H. R. Baker writes to me : "I once shot one of these fine 

 Pigeon which had been feeding on some wild nuts the size of a wahiut, 

 and of which I found four in the bird's crop. It surprised me at first to 

 find that the bird had ever been able to swallow so large a nut, but on 

 trying I found that I could easily place one inside its mouth and push it 

 down its throat. Its deep booming notes sounding something like 

 who-who-o, who-who-o, reminded me rather of the somids uttered 

 by monkeys." 



