LESSER ORANGE-BREASTED GREEN PIGEON 57 
It is probably a very irregular breeder, generally building its nest during 
the months from January to March, but sometimes not until April or even 
May, and having a second brood in the months of July and September. 
Layard describes its nest as formed of sticks, with a slight lining of roots, 
etc., placed in the fork of a tree. 
My own correspondents describe the nest as being of the usual character, 
built of small twigs, roughly interlaced, and with no lining whatsoever. 
It should be noted that all the gentlemen who have sent me eggs, or 
notes upon the nidification of this Pigeon, agree that it is very partial to 
big forest-trees as sites for its nest, and that it commonly builds them on a 
large horizontal bough at a very considerable height from the ground. 
The eggs in my collection only differ from those of Osmotreron bisincta 
domvillit in being decidedly smaller. Hight eggs average 1.04 in. ( = 26.3 mm.) 
by .85( = 21.6mm.). The largest 1.10 in. ( = 28.0 mm.) by .88 ( = 22.35 mm.) 
and the smallest 1.0 in. ( = 25.4 mm.) by .83 ( = 21 mm.). 
There is nothing to record about this bird’s habits which differ 
from those of the Common Orange-breasted Pigeon. 
It is very common in parts of Ceylon, Travancore, and in Malabar, 
but outside these districts seems to be very rare, wandering into south- 
east Madras only as an occasional straggler. The species, both this 
and domvillii, seems to require forest or extremely well wooded country 
of considerable humidity, and is rare or absent in the more dry zones. 
Legge records about the bird: “The Orange-breasted Green Pigeon 
affects the low jungle, the outskirts of the forest, detached rows of trees 
in open country, and sundry other localities where its favourite fruit 
abounds. It associates in small parties as a rule, but collects in large 
flocks in trees which are in heavy fruit. Its favourite fruit consists 
of the berries of the Bo, Banyan, Pala and Poppalille trees ; on them it 
feeds with such avidity that it will return to the trees very shortly 
after being shot at. Its flight is swift, and when returning from its 
feeding-grounds in a continuous stream at evening time, affords good 
shooting as it crosses the roads in the northern and eastern jungles. 
This and the next species are much shot by the natives who possess 
guns. They take up their position beneath some fruit-bearing 
monarch of the forest, and shoot the Pigeon as they fly to feed in 
the mornings. It has a regular time, like other Fruit-Pigeons and 
Doves, for drinking, which is about seven in the morning and 
four in the afternoon. The flesh of this species is succulent and 
well-flavoured, but is not so delicate as that of the next bird 
[pompadora]. 
“Its note is a hoarse croak, repeated at intervals, but it is usually 
a silent bird. 
