J 



CROWNED PIGEON.— Rowrn coronata. 



majestic, and well according with the beautiful feathered crown which they bear upon 

 their heads. The crest seems to be always held expanded. They have a quaiut habit of 

 sunning themselves upon the hot pavement of their prison by lying on one side, laying 

 the head flat on the ground, tucking the lower wing under them, and spreading the 

 other over their bodies so as to form a very shallow tent, each quill-feather being 

 separated from its neighbour, and radiating around the body. Sometimes the bird varies 

 this attitude by stretching the other \\iug to its full length, and holding it from the 

 ground, at an angle of twenty degrees or so, as if to take advantage of every sunbeam 

 and eveiy waft of air. 



While lying in this unique attitude, it might easily pass at a little distance for a 

 moss-covered stone, a heap of withered leaves, or a rugged tree-stump, with one broken 

 branch projecting to the side. No one would tliink of taking it for a bird. Un- 

 fortuuatidy, it is"a dillicult matter to take a ski-tcIi of the bird wliile tlius reposing, for 

 there are so few salient j)oints, that a very careful outline is needed, and its companions 

 are sure to come and peck it up before tlie sketdi can be comhi'lcd. 



