128 CHESTNUT-SHOULDERED PIGEON. 



ticed by Latham, viz. the subfurcate form of the tail, 

 and the rigid consistency of the feathers composing 

 it, which he compares to those of the Plotus and the 

 Hornbills, but he makes no remark as to any probable 

 effect such a structure may have in the economy of 

 the bird. From the form and size of the feet, we 

 may judge that its habits are more those of an arbo- 

 real than terrestrial bird, though its claws want the 

 great curvature of those of the Ptilinopinse, and 

 shew the capability it has of occasionally resorting 

 to the ground in search of food. 



In length the Chestnut-shouldered Pigeon mea- 

 sures from nineteen to twenty inches. The head, 

 foreneck, and breast, are of a deep green, with a 

 rich metallic lustre. The occiput and back part 

 of the neck are olive or greenish-brown, with a ru- 

 fous tinge ; the abdomen and vent are pure white. 

 The mantle, scapulars, and lesser wing-coverts, are 

 of a brownish-red, with rich metallic reflexions. The 

 greater quills are of a rich purplish-brown, exhibiting 

 green reflexions, according to the light in which they 

 are viewed. The tail is composed of twelve feathers, 

 of which the exterior on each side is a little longer 

 than the others, its colour a deep bistre brown, shew- 

 ing green and purple reflexions, the tip banded with 

 ochraceous yellow ; the under surface is of a pale-grey 

 colour, with a green metallic lustre. The bill and 

 feet are red. 



Our next plate represents another remarkable spe- 

 cies ; it is the 



