Avifaima of New Caledonia. 527 



48. Ptilopus greyi, G. R. Gray. 



This little Dove appears as a migrant on the main island 

 of New Caledonia, but is, we fancy, a permanent resident in 

 the Isle of Pines and Loyalty group ; it may, however, reside 

 in the forests to the north of where we have been ; but when 

 it appeared in considerable numbers about Noumea in January 

 1880, driven down, it was supposed, by the hurricane, all the 

 colonists seemed surprised, and the chasseurs were after 

 them by scores. Hundreds were, we believe, slaughtered for 

 the pot ; we killed a dozen round our house, but religiously 

 skinned and preserved the whole before we eat their bodies 

 in a pie, wherein they, and the Parrots, are delicious. 



Our friends the Messieurs Boyer said they only knew it 

 after the hurricane, and it has not since been seen. 



This species breeds on the Loyalties at the end of August. 

 The young birds want the crimson head of the adults, and 

 are barred with yellow. Bill (of breeding-birds) green, with a 

 grey tip ; legs and feet dark crimson ; iris brown-chrome. 

 Food, berries ; and they are capable of swallowing very large 

 ones, fully the size of a large damson. 



49. Drepanoptila holosericea, Temm. 



This lovely Dove is found in all the forest region wTiere a 

 slight elevation is obtained ; but we have never seen it in the 

 open country. Its exquisite colours so blend with the foliage 

 that it is far oftener heard than seen. Indeed, but for its 

 loud booming call, which the male alone utters, it would 

 rarely be shot ; and for one female that falls, at least a dozen 

 of the sterner sex are secured . 



Its plumage is very slightly attached to the skin ; and a 

 specimen rarely falls from any height without losing a con- 

 siderable portion of its feathers. If it strikes a branch in 

 its descent, the damage is generally irreparable ; and we have 

 lost numerous specimens in consequence. 



They feed on berries of all kinds ; and we have found some 

 of several inches circumference in their crops. While 

 feeding they are very silent and almost motionless, sidling 

 along the branch so as to reach the berries. This renders 

 them verv difficult to discover; but if the hunter can find the 



