694 Mr. M. J. Nicoll on the Birds collected and 



males), the head and neck are slightly darker, as are also 

 the under parts ; the dark centres to the feathers of the 

 " collar " are much larger in this new species, and the 

 under-wing-coverts are dark slaty, and not chestnut as in 

 T. aldabranus. 



We now know of four Doves from these coral islands 

 to the N.W. of Madagascar — Turtur saturatus from the 

 Amirantes, T. coppingeri from Glorioso, T. aldabranus from 

 Aldabra, and the present species from Assumption. There 

 are still two islands of this group which have never been 

 visited by a naturalist, i. e. Cosmoledo and Astone, and it is 

 highly probable that they also may have their peculiar Doves. 



The Assumption Dove appeared to be quite common and 

 is extraordinarily tame. We found one nest built in a low 

 bush and containing a newly hatched chick ; the old bird 

 was nearly caught on the nest. The flight of this species is 

 rather heavy and not so buoyant as that of most Turtle-Doves; 

 it was usually found under the thick bushes and scrub. 



Centropus assumptions. 



Centropus insularis Bidgway, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xviii. 

 p. 522. 



Centropus assumptions Nicoll, Bull. B. O. C. xvi. p. 105. 



Two adult males and two eggs. 



Bill, tarsi, and toes black. 



A common though rather retiring bird, found breeding 

 at the time of our visit. One nest contained two eggs and 

 was a large domed structure made of dry grass, placed high 

 up in a bush. The bird sits with its long tail over its head, 

 inside the nest. I only saw the male sitting ; in fact I did 

 not see a female at all on Assumption. This species is very 

 tame, and I almost caught one individual alive with a noose 

 on the end of a stick. It utters a long bubbling note which 

 is audible at some distance. It differs from C. insularis in 

 being much smaller, and darker on the wings and mantle. 



Ballus abbotti Bidgw. 



Dryolimnas abbotti Bidgway, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xviii. 

 p. 520. 



