GRALL^. 231 



The Gouras {Lophi/rus, Vieillot) — 

 Approximate the ordinary Gallinacece more than the other subgenera, by their more elevated tarsi and 

 gregarious habits, finding their food more on the ground, and never [not so habitually] perching. Their 

 l)eak is slender and flexible, [and their anatomy precisely that of the others]. 



One species is even allied to the Ga/lhiacea by the caruncles and other naked parts about the head (the C. carun- 

 lulata. Tern.) 



Another, at least, approaches them in size, which almost equals that of a Turkey, — the Crowned Pigeon of the 

 Indian Archipelago (C coronaia, Gm.). — Entirely of a slaty-blue, with some chestnut and white on the wings ; the 

 head adorned with a vertical longitudinal crest of thinly-barbed feathers. It is bred in the poultry -yards of Java, 

 &c., but refuses to propagate in Europe. It is to this species that the names Goura and Lophyrus espe- 

 cially apply. 



A third approximates the Poultry by the long pendent feathers of its neck, somewhat as in the Cock, — the Nicobar 

 Pigeon (Col. nincobarica, Lin.), of a brilliant golden-green colour, the tail white. It is found in many parts of 

 the Indian Isles, [and propagates in the same manner as the others, contrary to what has been asserted. 



Other small species compose the C/itemepelia, Swainson, as the Ground Dove of Wilson's American Ornithology, 

 C. passer hia, Lin.] 



The Restricted Pigeons {Columba, as limited) — ■ 

 Have shorter legs than the preceding, bat the same flexible and slender bill. 



Tliere are four w ild species in Europe 



The Cushat, or Ring Dove (Co/. /m/«?«6«.?, Lin.), is the largest of them. It inhabits forests, and more parti- 

 cularly those of evergreens, and is of a bluish ash-colour, rufous beneath, and distinguished by a spot of white on 

 each side of the neck. [It nestles on the branches of trees.] 



The Stock Pigeon (C. cenas, Lin.). — Of a slaty-grey colour, vinous beneath, with some changeable green upon 

 the neck. Rather smaller than ^he last, and similar in its general habits. [It breeds, however, either in conve- 

 nient holes of trees, or in leafy pollards termed stochs, and not unfrequently in rabbit-burrows ; makes no flap- 

 ping sound with the wings in flying, like the next species]. 



The Rock Pigeon (C. livia, Brisson). — Slaty-grey, some iridescent green on the neck, two black bars on each 

 wing, and a white rump. The Dovecot Pigeon is derived from this species, and, it would appear, the greater 

 number of the innumerable domestic breeds, in the production of which, however, the admixture of some proxi- 

 mate species may likewise have an influence. [The wild Rock Pigeon breeds principally in sea-cliffs, and but 

 sparingly inland. There is a race, which we suspect to be a distinct species, closely allied, the wings of which are 

 spotted, somewhat as in the Stock Pigeon, but more extensively, in place of the black bars. Numbers of them, 

 all shot, are sold in the London markets. We will term it C. macularia]. 



The Turtle Dove (Col. turtur, Lin.). — A fulvous-brown mantle, spotted with brown, the neck bluish, with a spot 

 on each side, variegated black and white. It is the smallest of the European wild Pigeons, and resembles the 

 Cushat in its habits, [excepting in being migratory]. 



The Collared Dove (Col. risoria, Lin.), appears to have been originally from Africa. It is of a reddish-white 

 colour, pale below, with a black collar on the neck. 



Tlie species of this division are extremely numerous, and might be further subdivided according as the tarsi are 

 naked or feathered, and upon the naked space surrounding the eyes of some of them. Those with feathered tarsi 

 constitute the Ptilinopus, Swainson. 



Some have even caruncles and other naked parts on the head : and there are others [the Eclopisles, Swainson], 

 which might be separated on account of their pointed tail. 



But the best of all the divisions that have been instituted among the Pigeons is that of 



The Vinagos {Vinago, Cuv.), — 

 Which are recognized by having a stouter bill, of solid substance, and compressed laterally : their tarsi 

 are short, and their feet large and well boi'dered. They inhabit extensive woods, and subsist on fruit. 

 But few species are known, all from the torrid zone of the eastern continent. 

 [They have generally vivid-green plumage, variegated with bright yellow]. One has a pointed tail. 



THE FIFTH ORDER OF BIRDS,— 



THE STILT-BIRDS (Gkall^, Lin.),— 



Also termed Shore-birds and Waders, names which are derived from their habits and con- 

 formation. The memhers of this division are recognized by the nndity of part of the tibia, 

 and most commonly bv tlie elongation of the tarsi ; conditions which permit them to enter 



