112 



GENUS CARPOPHAGA, SELBY. 



IN this group, which is composed of birds of a 

 much larger size than the preceding, the wings, though 

 possessing the same relative proportions, have no 

 emargination or sudden narrowing of the tip of the, 

 first quill. Their tarsi also are not so thickly or en- 

 tirely feathered ; and their nostrils are placed nearer 

 to the base of the bill. In some species, green, yel- 

 low, and purple, are the prevailing colours ; in others 

 a rich bronzed or metallic colour composes the upper 

 plumage, exhibiting shades of deep green and pur- 

 ple, according to the light in which it is viewed, 

 while in those which lead the way to the typical 

 pigeons, the tints become less vivid and more uni- 

 form in their distribution. Their bill is considerably 

 depressed at the base, the membrane in which the 

 nostrils are placed but little prominent or swollen, 

 the tip compressed and moderately arched, the tomia 

 slightly sinuated. The forehead is low, and the fea- 

 thers advance considerably upon the soft portion of 

 the bill. In many of them a caruncle or gristly knob, 

 varying in size and shape according to the species, 

 grows upon the basal part of the upper mandible du- 

 ring the season of propagation. This is supposed to 

 be common to both sexes, as the female is described 

 with it in Duperry's Voyage. After this epoch it 



