CHAPTER LIT. 



Triangular-spotted Pigeon. 



I HIS is a large handsome species with which, however, 



I have not had a great deal to do, but what I have 



seen of it has impressed me favourably, and I should 



not be sorry were an opportunity of renewing our 



acquaintance to present itself. 



It is a native of Western Africa and sufficiently 

 common there, but it is not very frequently imported. 

 The specimen of the species that I had in my posses- 

 sion some few years ago was a male; his general 

 colour was dark greyish-blue, deeper on the upper 

 than on the lower surface of the body, and on the 

 sides he had a number of small white spots of the 

 shape that has given to him his usual English name. 



In size he equalled a Homer and somewhat re- 

 sembled it in shape; his wings were strongly developed 

 and no doubt he was naturally a strong flyer, but one 

 of the pinions had been injured in some way and my 

 bird could not rise from the ground. 



I never heard him "coo," but he used to give 



