(17) CARPOPHAGA AENEA INSULARIS (Blyth). 
THE NICOBAR IMPERIAL PIGEON. 
Carpophaga sylvatica (var.) Blyth, J.A.S.B., XV p. 371; id., Cat. B.M.A.S.B., 
p. 231. 
Carpophaga insularis Blyth, J.A.S.B., XXVII p. 270 (1858); Ball, ib., 
XXXIX pt. 2 p. 32; id. Str. Feath., I p. 79; Hume, ib., II p. 262; 
id. ib., IV p.291 ; id., Nests and Eggs, 496; id., Cat. no. 780, bis ; id., Str. 
Feath., VIII p. 109; Legge, B. Cey., p. 719; Oates, in Hume’s Nests 
and Eggs, 2nd ed., II p. 367; Salvadori, Cat. B.M., XXI p. 185; Blanf., 
Avi. Brit. I., IV p. 20; Sharpe, Hand-List, I p. 64; Oates, Cat. Eggs 
B.M., I p. 85; Butler, J.B.N.H.S., XII p. 687. 
Vernacular Names. None recorded. 
Description.—Aduli male. Differs principally from aenea aenea in 
having the under tail-coverts a dull reddish-brown, in no case approaching 
the liver-brown of that bird. The grey of the head and under-parts is purer, 
very seldom having the slightest tinge of pink or vinous, and the fore-head 
is generally distinctly paler than the rest of the head. The green of the upper- 
parts is darker and more mixed with blue, and appears never to have any 
copper reflections upon it ; the upper-surface of the tail is also darker and more 
blue, and the under-surface is a much darker brown. 
Colours of soft parts. “‘ Legs and feet dull deep pink, pinkish red or livid 
purple, the bill is pale plumbeous, paler on tip and darker on cere and base ; 
the irides vary a good deal, sometimes they are pale ruby red; the eyelids 
are pale lavender ” (Hume). 
Measurements. Length 17 to 20 in. ( = 431 to 508 mm.) ; wing 8.75 to 
10.25 in. ( = 222.3 to 260 mm.) ; tail about 6 to 7 in. ( = 152 to 177 mm.) ; 
bill at front 1 to 1.25 in. ( = 25.4 to 31.7 mm.), and from gape about 1.45 
to 1.8 in. ( = 36.8 to 45.4 mm.); tarsus about 1 ( = 25.4 mm.) to 1.2 in. 
( = 30.4 mm.) or rather more. 
“ Weight 1 Ib. to 1 lb. 12 oz.” (Hume). 
“ Weight 14 lbs.” (Richmond). 
Adult female. Does not differ from the male in coloration, size, or in the 
colour of the soft parts. 
Nesiling, in first plumage. Like the adult, with dull brown irides and 
paler, duller feet and legs. 
Distribution. Nicobar Islands. 
Nidification. As regards its nidification Davison, in Stray Feathers, 
says that: ‘They breed in February and March; on the 17th February I 
found a nest on the Island of Trinkut ; it was built on a cocoanut palm, and 
was about 20 feet from the ground. As usual with pigeons and doves it was 
H 
