GEOPHTLUS. 213 



is difficult to kill, as it generally escapes from the 

 opposite of the bushes, in which it takes refuge when 

 pursued, or apprehensive of danger. 



In length it measures nearly eleven inches. The 

 forehead, the cheeks, and the throat are white. The 

 crown, the neck, and the whole of the under plu- 

 mage orange-brown, with a purplish tinge, the sides 

 of the neck in certain lights reflecting golden-green. 

 On the lower part of the hind neck, and commence- 

 ment of the mantle, is a large patch or demi-collar 

 of blackish purple, the feathers terminated with shin- 

 ing golden-green. The rest of the upper plumage 

 is brown, with a greenish lustre in certain lights. 

 Tail with the two middle feathers brown, the re- 

 mainder on each side with their basal part black, 

 the tips bluish-grey- Bill bluish-black. Legs and 

 feet reddish-brown. 



The subjects of the four remaining Plates differ in 

 many respects from all we have yet been engaged 

 with, but whether they will form a separate division 

 or the three first will enter among the Peristerinae, 

 and the Lophyrus alone remain the representative of 

 another group, we are unable to determine, not pos- 

 sessing sufficient materials to institute so strict an 

 analysis as is necessary, or to trace out with preci- 

 sion the direct affinities of these species, and the si- 

 tuation they hold in respect to the other groups of 

 the Columbidse, as well as those of adjoining fa- 

 milies. The three first we have provisionally in- 

 cluded in the 



