DOVES AND PIGEONS 101 



scrutiny that they can be detected even where 

 they have been correctly marked down. So closely 

 does their brilliant green and vinous colouring match 

 with that of the surrounding leaves, and so quiet 

 and leisurely are their movements among them, 

 that almost the only thing that is likely to reveal 

 their presence is the stripe of bright yellow that 

 traverses their wings. So invisible, indeed, are 

 they, that in most cases they are only discovered 

 when they suddenly take alarm and fly out from 

 among the branches on their resting-place being 

 approached even more closely than their well- 

 founded confidence in the protective properties of 

 their plumage can stand. This may perhaps have 

 given rise to the idea that they are commoner 

 during the latter part of winter and the beginning 

 of the hot season than at other times of year. 

 Many trees are then either completely bare or in 

 very thin leaf, and such large green birds are very 

 conspicuous when resting on them, but it is 

 questionable how far any seasonal variation in 

 their numbers occurs, unless it be in direct rela- 

 tion to the number of trees supplying suitable food. 

 Both species are delightful inmates of an aviary, 

 from their wonderful beauty of colouring, and the 

 pleasant sound of their calls, which, although not to 

 be compared with the call, or, rather, the song, of 

 the green pigeon of the hills, the Kokila, Spheno- 

 cercus sphenurus, are very melodious and soothing 



