454 Mr. E. Newton's Second Visit to Madagascar. 



51. Vinago australis (Linnseus). 

 " Foningo." 



As far as I could discoverj the same native name is applied to 

 all the ColumbidcE indiscriminately, contrary to what appears to 

 be generally the case with birds in Madagascar. This species 

 was particularly numerous up the Fargandrafrah, generally 

 feeding, in flocks of from six to ten individuals, on the fruit of 

 a species of Ficus. Their flight is slow and heavy for Pigeons. 



Iris light blue; beak horn -colour, basal half lake-pink; legs, 

 feet, and claws yellow. There appears to be no distinction 

 between the colours of the sexes. 



52. Turtur picturatus (Temminck), 

 " Foningo." 



I did not meet with this bird elsewhere than on the coast. 

 Iris yellowish brown ; beak pinkish horn-colour ; nostrils and 

 skin round the eye and feet lake-red. 



53. Numida tiarata, Bonaparte. 



I saw one or two up the Fargandrafrah, and one near Soaman- 

 drikazay. 



54. Margaroperdix striata. 



" Tro-tro" (its call when disturbed). 



Common wherever rice has been planted. I once found 

 seven in a small patch not above two acres in extent, but they 

 did not get up together. Many are snared, and sent over here 

 alive ; some of them have been turned out, but I do not think 

 they increase. They are very dry, tasteless birds, and without 

 any flavour of game. 



55. CoTURNix COMMUNIS, Bonnatcrrc. 



I am indebted to Mr. Caldwell for a skin of this species. It 

 was brought to him alive, along with a few more, at Antanana- 

 rivo, where it was said not to be uncommon. The specimen thus 

 obtained (an old male) difiers from European examples in being 

 much more highly coloured. 



56. Tumix nigricollis (Gmelin). 

 " Kibo." 



Frequents dry .long grass, lies very close, not getting up till 



