252 NATURAL HISTORY OF BIRDS. 



known to break ami fall from the woij^lit <>f tlie birds gatiicred on tliem. The flocks 

 (Icjiart at sunrise and return at nijjht, for they must go great distances to find food 

 sufficient to su|i|il_v their needs. The arrival of the great host is an impressive sight. 

 Long before tlieir crowded ranks apjiear, their approach is heralded bj- a sound 

 resembling the rising of a gale of wind, increasing in loudness until the l>irds hurl 

 themselves into their chosen nightly aiiode, when the din caused by the flap])ing of 

 myriads of wings, the struggles for a place upon the trees, the constant change 

 of j)osition, and the crashing of overluaclecl brandies, is so completely overjiowering 

 that not only the human voice cannot be heard, i.ut even the discharge of a gun 

 would pa.ss nnnoticeil. At one time these roosts were not uncommon, but they are 

 grailually dis;ippearing, for the wild-jiigeon, like all other game, from lack of wise 

 and reipiisitc jirotcction in the I'nited States, is being broiiglit slowly but surely to 

 its final e.vtermin.'ition. Such is a brief and cursory review of one of the most 

 extraordinary customs of this lieautiful sj]ccies. Lack of space compels us to pass on 

 to the next genus of the family. 



This is /«/(Mr»=«rt<, containing eight or ten species; birds of rich and handsome 

 plumage, having cnnsiilerable metallic lustre. Tliey are inhabitants of the Moluccan, 

 Papuan, and Polynesian islamls. One sjiecies, /. iuiithiiai, fouml in Japan, is not unlike 

 in ]plumage a species (/ iiictuUicu) from Timor. This last is remarkable for the metallic 

 hues of its ]plMmage, which are lustrous greenish-purple, with various brilliant reflections. 

 Another species from tlie Fijis — T. cUknsis — h.is the entire jilumage bluish ash 

 color, with a nietallic purple lustre, changing to briglit green on hi'ad and neck; the 

 back, rum]), and breast also metallic green, with the wing an<l upper tail-coverts edged 

 and tipped witli the same. The throat is white. This beautiful bird is not uncommon 

 in the Fiji Islands, when' it is seen in parties of three or four. It is about fourteen 

 inches in length. 



.\ s])ecies from sever.al of tlie Papuan Islands has been jilaced in a distinct genus, 

 ancl called Gipnitupftfips idlHrtinii, on acco\int of a b;ire space around the eve, larire 

 feet like Carj>li(>i>Ii(i<i(t, and some otiier characters. In some ]iarts of New Guinea this 

 species is rather rare, but small ]>arties of eight or ten were seen on the Fly River. It 

 is oidy lately that this bird has been brought to the notice of naturalists. 



. The last genus of the family Colundiiilie is Cohnnha, ft>rmeil liv Liunanis, and con- 

 taining a large number of species foinid throughout certain i)ortions of the Old and 

 the New World. It is diaracteri/.ed chiefly I)y a moderate bill, with the basal half of 

 the maxill.a covered with a soft cartilaginous substance; the apical Iialf hard, arched, 

 and hooked at the tiji. The nostrils are placed towards the middle of the bill, and the 

 skin is swollen above them. The wings are moderate and jiointed, the tail ratlier 

 short, even, or rounded, the toes moderate and free at the base. The <;enus has been 

 sui>-divide<l by authors into many sections, but it is not lU'cessary to notice these in 

 this article. Tlie birds of this genus go in flocks of various magnitude, sometimes 

 ))erforming migrations of more or less extent, according to the diversity of climate. 

 Tliey frequent woods and feed on acorns, beech-nuts, or seek grain in the cultivated 

 fields. Some species again dwell among rocks, making tlieir nests in holes or fissures 

 in the sides of jirecipitons clifTs. There are many large and stately species comprised 

 in the genus, and some of very beautiful ami attractive plumage. Onlv a few can be 

 noticed here. One of the best known is probably the <\ anus, or stot-k-])igeon of 

 Europe. It is about thirteen inches in length, of a general bluish gray plinna"-e, with 

 the sides of head and neck glossed with metallic green. Breast vinous red. It is a 



