COLUMBAE 327 



of two, the regular number in Birds. The after-shaft is rudi- 

 mentary or absent, the adults have no down, the young are hatched 

 blind and naked, and remain for a long time in the nest. The 

 plumage is commonly dull blue or brown, with an iridescent sheen ; 

 but remarkably brilliant purple, red, yellow, and green hues mani- 

 fest themselves in forms such as Ptilopus, Chrysoenas, and Caloenas 

 from the islands of the Eastern Seas, the headquarters of the 

 Family. Though smaller, the female usually resembles the male ; 

 but Turturaena, Oena, and Peristera are examples of diversity, while 

 immature examples are duller than adults. Goura approaches the 

 size of a goose, whereas Columbigallina is little larger than a 

 sparrow. Of domestic Pigeons the Rock-Dove is undoubtedly 

 the origin, but the breeds are now infinite in their variety. 1 



Omitting the abnormal Didine Birds, the habits of the 

 members of this group are fairly uniform, the majority of them 

 inhabiting wooded country ; while even those like Phaps, LopJio- 

 phaps, and Geophaps, which occupy the arid plains of Australia, 

 are to be found at times where vegetation is plentiful ; and in all 

 cases the proximity of water seems indispensable. Fruit-Pigeons 

 frequent trees, and the most typical Columbine forms are found in 

 woods or among rocks, though the smaller Doves naturally prefer 

 the lower bushes. Wood-Pigeons towards winter, and Passenger- 

 Pigeons when nesting not to mention other instances gather in 

 large flocks ; in some cases, however, the parties only number about 

 half a dozen, and more solitary habits are by no means uncommon. 

 The flight is strong, rapid, and direct, though the Ground-Pigeons 

 remain a comparatively short time upon -the wing, and some species 

 prefer to run unless forced to rise, Oena being an especially good 

 walker. The well-known " homing " powers of trained birds, the 

 curious backward somersaults of the Tumbler, and the sudden rise 

 and clap of the wings so noticeable in the Wood-Pigeon when 

 courting, merit a passing mention. Every member of the Family 

 perches, and many delight to bask in the sun. The note is always 

 of the nature of a coo, but is especially loud and deep in Myris- 

 ticivora, Megaloprepia, and some members of Carpopkaga, guttural 

 in Haplopelia, mournful in Peristera and Zenaidura, harsh and 

 trumpet-like in Goura; the voice of the Turtle-Dove suggests a 

 purr, while Tympanistria and Starnoenas possess powers of ven- 



1 See Darwin, The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication, i. 

 London, 1868, pp. 131-224; Tegetmeier, Pigeons, their Structure, etc. London: 1867. 



