^94 GYRANTES. COLUMBAD^. 



superlative delicacies of which the natives of Jamaica 

 boast, the Ringtail holds the undisputed pre-emi- 

 nence. The others are the Fresh-water Mullet, and 

 the Black Land-crab. Dr. Chamberlaine (Comp. 

 to Jam. Aim. 1840) mentions this bird as " the most 

 luscious dainty of his class, or of any other. I am 

 acquainted," he further observes, "with no bird 

 that the sportsman pursues, that can be compared 

 to the Ring-tail Pigeon, for the richness, the de- 

 licacy, and the tenderness of his flesh. He is, 

 during the months of September, October, and 

 November, a mass of luscious fat, and his plump and 

 well-enveloped flesh acquires for him a superiority 

 over that of all his tribe." It is a common thing, 

 at the period of their high condition, for birds 

 shot from a tall tree to burst asunder with the fall. 



The Ring-tail is stated invariably to perch near 

 the middle of a tree, usually in the fork of the 

 principal limbs ; where, when seated, it will remain 

 quietly looking down at the fowler, perhaps within 

 a few yards of his head. The centre of those trees 

 which are clothed with a dense tangled mass of 

 withes or creepers, is preferred ; and it is asserted 

 that on no occasion is this bird to be seen perched 

 on an exterior twig or branch. The Blue Pigeon 

 sometimes manifests the same predilection; but with 

 him it is only when the gusty "norths," rocking 

 the flexible branches, would make his seat on them 

 uncomfortable if not insecure. 



The Ring-tail will sometimes leave his solitudes, 

 and come down to eat the berries of missletoe, 

 growing on sour-sop and other trees. A friend has 



