THE CROWNED PIGEON. 287 



I am not aware of the differences of plumage 

 in the males and females of these birds, but am 

 inclined to consider these male and female birds, 

 from one running after the other in sportive 

 wooing, and the mournful, cooing noise, proceed- 

 ing from only one of them. They are shy and 

 timid, fluttering about very much when any one 

 comes near, or attempts to touch them ; they even 

 show this shyness towards the man who is accus- 

 tomed daily to supply them with food. 



April 16tk. — During the late prevailing strong 

 breezes and gales, with damp and rainy weather, 

 the birds have appeared well, only occasionally 

 fluttering by the heavy lurches of the vessel : that 

 has been prevented, for the most part, by bagging 

 being placed underneath their feet. The range 

 of temperature has not been lower than 55° ; 

 medium 60, and maximum 64". 



April ISth. — The pigeons, although they have 

 their feathers ruffled, and mope, from the change 

 of temperature and wet weather, do not appear 

 to suffer in health : they move often about the 

 coop, and eat as usual. 



April23rd. — In latitude 49" 35' north, longitude 

 14° 8' west : thermometer 53" to 55". I had the 

 misfortune to lose another of the Crowned pi- 

 geons. Yesterday the bird seemed healthy, the 



