NIDIFICATION OF PIGEONS. 481 



elevations very symmetrically disposed, and nearly con- 

 cealed by a mealy efflorescence, which when rubbed off, 

 leaves the surface smooth and of a light red-brown ; the 

 under surface is smooth, and of a pale brown ; the legs 

 are very short, and the eyes are invisible. A remarkable 

 form of Arachnidans, a species of Macrocheles, with a 

 hard flat body, of a reddish-brown colour, with a straw- 

 coloured head, is also to be met with on this island. 



On the 21st of March, 1846, the day on which we 

 received orders for England, I landed on a small islet 

 between Banguey, or more properly Banggi, and Balam- 

 bangan. The ground was partially clear among the trees, 

 and studded with a very elegant species of Pandanus, on 

 the crown-shaped bunches of the leaves of which, numbers 

 of large blue Pigeons had built their nests, consisting of 

 a mass of leaves and earth, rudely put together. Each 

 nest contained two large, oval, milk-white eggs, and I 

 observed that the young ones sometimes tumbled over the 

 edge of the platform, which performed the office of cradle, 

 and that the old birds did not seem to have the power or 

 sagacity to pick them up again. I noticed the mother of 

 one of these unfortunate outcasts, tenderly caressing and 

 offering it food, while, in other parts, several callow 

 nurslings were lying dead upon the ground. All day 

 the adult birds remain concealed among the dense clouds 

 of foliage, high up above their nests in the Pandanus 

 trees, while their monotonous cooing serves as a lullaby 

 to their little ones ; but towards the cool of the evening, 

 these Pigeons take their departure in large flocks, and 

 proceed direct to the forests of Banguey, whence they return 

 with their crops distended with green berries, and other 



VOL. II. 2 I 



