CROWNED GOURA PIGEON. 227 



the female. Temminck conjectures, from this pe- 

 culiar noise, that its tracheal artery or windpipe may 

 probably bear some affinity or resemblance to that 

 of some of the Cracidse, in which this organ is great- 

 ly lengthened, and makes certain convolutions before 

 it enters the lungs. We regret that no opportunity 

 of examining the internal structure of this interest- 

 ing bird has offered itself, nor can we find any ob- 

 servations made by others, which have reference to 

 this part of its anatomy. By the Dutch it is fre- 

 quently brought to Europe from their East Indian 

 possessions, but being of a delicate constitution, and 

 impatient of cold, it seldom long survives in the hu- 

 mid and comparatively chill temperature of Holland. 

 In consequence, all attempts to propagate or render 

 it available in the poultry -yard have hitherto failed, 

 which is greatly to be regretted, not more on account 

 of its external beauty, than for its excellent flavour 

 as a wholesome and nutritious food. 



In size it exceeds all the other Columbine species, 

 being from twenty-seven to twenty-eight inches in 

 extreme length. The bill, which is two inches long, 

 is black ; the tips of the mandibles thickened, and 

 that of the upper one moderately deflected. The 

 head is adorned with a large, elevated, semicircular 

 and compressed crest, composed of narrow straight 

 feathers, furnished with disunited silky barbules, and 

 always carried erect. This, as well as the head, the 

 neck, and all the inferior parts of the body, are aof 

 pure greyish-blue colour. The back, the scapulars, 



