PIGEONS 



metallic green ; a broad black half-collar on hind neck 

 spotted white ; back and wings leady-bluish, to blackish- 

 slate tail. 



This splendid pigeon is confined to the mountain forests 

 at elevations above 3000 feet, and, personally, I have never 

 shot one, though I have occasionally seen them when on a 

 visit to high elevation estates. It is sometimes erroneously 

 spoken of as a " black pigeon," and certainly looks very 

 dark in colour when merely seen on flight. It is a very shy 

 and wary bird, not easy to bag, except, as is usually the case 

 with all wild pigeons, when feeding, at which time they are 

 less watchful. 



They also give, at times, fine sport to the Haputale 

 residents when flighting, or by beating the jungles they 

 frequent, when, occasionally, really good bags may be 

 made. I find these pigeons are often spoken of locally 

 as " blue rocks" quite a misnomer. 



This closes the list of pigeons to be found in Ceylon, 

 and most of them are well worth " finding." 



