AROMATIC VINAGO. 97 



The nest is simple and composed of a few twigs 

 loosely put together, and the eggs are two, a num- 

 ber which prevails in the majority of the family, a 

 few of the ground pigeons, which approach more 

 nearly to the other Gallinaceous tribes, being the 

 only exceptions. The base or softer part of the bill 

 is blackish -grey, the tip yellowish-white, strong, 

 much hooked, and bulging on the sides. The fore- 

 head is of a bright siskin green, the crown greenish- 

 grey, the chin and throat gamboge-yellow, the re- 

 mainder of the neck, the breast, belly, lower back, 

 and rump, yellowish-green. The upper back or 

 mantle, and a part of the lesser wing coverts, are of 

 a rich brownish -red, and exhibit a purplish tinge in 

 certain lights. The greater wing-coverts and secon- 

 dary quills are greenish-black, with a deep and well- 

 defined edging of the purest gamboge-yellow through- 

 out their length. The tail has the two middle 

 feathers wholly green, and slightly exceeding the 

 rest in length ; these are of a bluish grey with a dark 

 central band. The under tail-coverts are yellowish- 

 white, barred with green. The legs and toes red, 

 the claws pale-grey, strong, sharp, and semicircular. 

 Our next plate represents the 



same little tune, but on different keys. After the death of 

 one, the survivor used to sing at command, or at all events 

 when incited to it, by beginning its tune." 



VOL. IX. 



