386 



PIGEONS AND SAND-GROUSE. 



the Nicobar pigeon represents not only its genus, but likewise a special subfamily 

 {Calcenadinw), distinguished from the preceding groups by the elongated and 

 narrow feathers of the neck, which resemble the hackles of a game-cock. The 

 general colour of the plumage is metallic green with copper-coloured reflections, 

 the under-parts are less brightly coloured, the head, neck, and upper breast being 

 nearly black, while the quills are also much the same colour, and the short tail 

 and its coverts are pure white. The bill and the knob at the base are black, and 

 the legs and feet dark pui-ple. In one of the Nicobar Islands, Davison says 

 that the birds swarm by thousands, and in the early morning may be seen flying 

 from the island in flocks out to sea, doubtless to other islands of the group to 

 feed. When well up in the air, the flight is swift and powerful, and somewhat 

 like that of sand-grouse. Having wandered some distance away from the rest of 

 his party, and reached a part of the jungle where the birds had not been disturbed, 

 he was surrounded by a flock of at least thirty old and young pigeons. Their gait 

 was pigeon-like, and while digging among the dead leaves in search of food with 

 their bills they were very silent, their only note being a hoarse croak. He 



always met with them 



^ ^ ^;^^N^\)lM ^^ *^^® ground, and, 



when disturbed, they 

 invariably perched on 

 the thicker branches 

 along which they were 

 often seen to walk. 

 The Nicobar pigeon 

 builds a nest of sticks, 

 in which the single 

 egg is laid. 



Crowned Pigeons. 



Family GOURID^. 



The members of 

 this family are the 

 largest existing repre- 

 sentatives of the order, 

 and are characterised 

 by the erect fan-shaped 

 crest which adorns the 

 head as well as by their 

 large size, while they 

 are further distin- 

 guished by having the 

 metatarsus covered all 

 over with small six- 

 sided scales. Exclus- 





ALBERTis' CROWNED PIGEON. (From D'Albertis' New Guinea.) 



