i 
108 INDIAN PIGEONS AND DOVES 
trees to rest. Although the day was unfavourable and rainy, I killed 
about a dozen of these fine Pigeons, and several natives who were there 
with guns for the purpose of shooting them, assured me they often killed 
from one to two dozen daily, simply remaining in one spot. Had I not 
secured the birds myself in this locality, I confess I would barely have 
credited the account I received of these mountain residents descending 
to the Plains during the hottest season of the year.” 
Bourdillon, quoted by Hume in Stray Feathers, says that in Travan- 
core it is an abundant species, ‘“‘ occurring at all elevations from the base 
to the very summit of the hills, wherever there is heavy forest. As the 
generic name implies, their food consists entirely of the larger jungle-fruits, 
and they appear to be very greedy feeders, stuffing themselves to repletion 
with any favourite fruit. Their note is a peculiar deep moaning coo, 
but in addition to this they utter a low guttural croak of suspicion 
while seated motionless on some bough, should anything unusual 
attract their attention. They take some time getting under weigh, but 
once well started their flight is rapid, and they can carry off a large 
quantity of shot.” 
Major H. R. Baker writes to me: “I once shot one of these fine 
Pigeon which had been feeding on some wild nuts the size of a walnut, 
and of which I found four in the bird’s crop. It surprised me at first to 
find that the bird had ever been able to swallow so large a nut, but on 
trying I found that I could easily place one inside its mouth and push it 
down its throat. Its deep booming notes sounding something like 
who-who-o, who-who-o, reminded me rather of the sounds uttered 
by monkeys.” 
