PIGEONS 



having my gun with me, I came upon a jungle tree, in a 

 bit of forest through which my path led, in full fruit, 

 bearing a sort of berry. There was a lot of fluttering 

 going on in the tree, and as I came near out flew some 

 bronze-wings. I waited near the tree and bagged 5 in 

 less than five minutes, getting them as they approached 

 the tree in the preliminary flutter before settling. I had 

 to do this as they came to the tree through the jungle, and 

 I could not see them until quite close. My friend and I 

 enjoyed our breakfast that day ! 



The orange- breasted green pigeon (Osmotreron bicincta). 

 This is one of the fruit-eaters, and may be found all over 

 the Ceylon low country. 



Length 10.3 to 10.6 inches; bill greenish to bluish; 

 legs and feet coral-red. 



Forehead, face, and throat yellowish-green, becoming 

 greener on the fore neck and crown, to grey-blue on hind 

 neck and upper back ; back, wing coverts, and upper tail 

 coverts brownish-green ; tail bluish-ashy, with a median 

 dark band ; a narrow lilac band across upper part of chest, 

 and a broader band of orange colour ; lower breast yellowish- 

 green to yellow. The female has not the lilac and orange 

 bands, and may easily be mistaken by the casual observer 

 for the female pompadour pigeon. This is a very hand- 

 some bird, and distinctly good to eat. May be met with 

 in small flocks on the outskirts of any forest, generally near 

 fruiting trees, or on tall detached trees. Their flight is 

 swift and straight, giving good sporting shots, especially 

 towards evening, if you happen to be in a neighbourhood 

 where they are plentiful. Their call is a hoarse kind of 

 croak or chuckle. I have shot them occasionally in the 

 Matale Valley in the fruiting season, and, of course, made 

 an occasional bag in the low country. I remember once 



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