196 LECTURE VI. 



The species of Pigeons are excessively nu- 

 merous, and many are remarkable for the splendor 

 and beauty of their colours. Of the whole genus 

 by far the most magnificent is the Columba co- 

 ronata of Linnaeus or great crowned Pigeon, a 

 native of the East-Indian islands ; in size not far 

 inferior to a Turkey, and of a beautiful violet 

 purple colour, with a very large, upright, com- 

 pressed crest. The eyes are of the most vivid red, 

 and the whole bird has an air of an unusual mag- 

 nificence. 



The Pigeons are succeeded by the numerous 

 tribe of Thrushes, forming the genus Turdus of 

 Linnaeus. The species are so very numerous 

 that those at present known may be supposed to 

 amount to at least 1 60. 



The character of the genus consists in having 

 a straitish beak, slightly bending towards the tip 

 with a small notch on each side : the nostrils are 

 oval and naked. 



The common Song-Thrush may stand as an 

 example. It is brown above, whitish beneath, 

 with reversed arrow-shaped spots on the breast 

 and belly. 



The Fieldfare is another species, brown above, 



