98 



SHARP-TAILED VINAGO. 



Vinago oxyura. 

 PLATE II. 



Columba oxyura, Reinwardt. Columba a queue pointue, 

 Temminck, PL Color, pi. 240. 



IN this species a slight deviation from the typical 

 example delineated in the foregoing plate may be ob- 

 served, the wings being devoid of the yellow edging 

 so conspicuous in most of them, and the tail having 

 acquired a more conical form, with the two middle 

 feathers acuminated and projecting considerably be- 

 yond the rest. This modification seems to indicate 

 some slight deviation in the habits and economy of 

 the bird; but as M. Temminck's description (the only 

 one hitherto published) is totally silent on this in- 

 teresting point, we are obliged to confine ourselves 

 to a mere description of the plumage. 



The greater part of the body, both above and be- 

 low, is green, but brightest upon the throat and 

 belly. Across the breast is a narrow bar or half 

 collar of saffron-yellow ; the vent and under tail-co- 

 verts are yellow, the latter with a great part of their 

 inner webs green. The greater quills are black, but 



