216 Mr. F. Du Cane Godman on the Resident and 



evidence to show. There appears, however, to be a second 

 species in the Canaries, which is neither C. trocaz nor C. lau- 

 rivora ; and to this Dr. Bolle's remarks seem to apply. Of this 

 bird more anon. 



Lastly, Mr. G. R. Gray in his ' Hand-list of Birds,' ii. p. 233, 

 recognizes two species, one from Madeira and one from the Cana- 

 ries, and is so far right. There are errors in the synonymy, which 

 will at once be detected by comparison with what is given below. 



Columba trocaz frequents the high laurel-forests of Madeira, 

 where it breeds, only coming down occasionally to feed in 

 the cultivated lands. It is very shy, and not easily got 

 at, even by the natives, who are acquainted with its habits. 

 I was out after them for two or three days without getting a 

 shot, though I saw several. The only plan is to go either early 

 in the morning or late at night, and sit under the til trees 

 {Oreodaphne foetens) (which they frequent) and take the chance 

 of their settling above your head without observing you. Even 

 then they are not easily killed, as the foliage is so thick, 

 and the trees so high, as well as being usually placed on such a 

 steep slope of the mountain-side that, when shot, they some- 

 times fall more than 100 yards below you, smashing them- 

 selves to pieces in their fall ; hence it is not easy to get good 

 specimens for one's collection. I, however, finally procured 

 eleven fair skins. They feed on the fruit of the bay and til trees, 

 for which they search amongst the dead leaves upon the ground. 

 The flesh has a strong flavour, in consequence of the aromatic 

 nature of the food. C. palumhus is also found occasionally in 

 Madeira — but, as J am told, frequents the chestnut-groves, and 

 not the laurel-forests. 



56. Columba laurivora, Webb & Berth. 



Columba laurivora, W. & B. Orn. Can. p. 26, pi. 3 (lower fig.) ; 

 Knip, Pig. t. 43; Bolle, J. fiii- Orn. 1855, p. 171, and 1857, 

 p. 324. 



Trocaza laurivora, Bp. Icon, des Pig. t. 69. 



There can be no doubt that the bird described as the female 

 of their Columba laurivora by Webb and Berthelot has the ex- 

 tremity of the tail white. I have seen the type in the museum 



