A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ORNITHOLOGY OF NEPAL. 341 



the under tail-coverts coloured as follows : — White (2) ; white, 

 tinged greyish ; greyish white ; light ash grey (2); ashy grey 

 (2) ; bluish grey (2) ; mixed slaty and pale greyish ; dark bluish 

 grey. The lower tail-coverts in fact show every gradation from 

 white to deep bluish grey, while the birds in other respects are 

 closely similar ; some specimens are rather more rufous on the 

 belly than others, but it is impossible to divide the series by 

 any one point. Turtur meena may differ from rupicolus by 

 some constant characters, but I venture to say that the two 

 supposed species cannot be separated by the colour of the lower 

 tail-coverts. I follow Mr. Dresser in assigning the name of 

 orientalis to my specimens, which, I believe, represent the two 

 races hitherto looked upon, in India, as distinct.* 



This Dove is fairly common in one part or another of the 

 Nepal Valley throughout the year. In May, June, and July it 

 is only found in the forests, at elevations of from 7,000 to 8,000 

 feet, where it breeds. From August to December it is plentiful 

 in the central woods of the valley. From January to March 

 only a few birds are to be found in the central part of the val- 

 ley, the majority having moved down to warmer regions ; and 

 in the latter part of March and throughout April it is again com- 

 mon in the central woods. I also found it common in the 

 Nawakot district in November and in the plains of Nepal in 

 December, It is usually seen in parties of from six to ten, high 

 up in trees ; and its note is a low, deep, hur, huvj hu, 



795.— Turtur suratensis, Gm, 



Six males. — Length, 11 to 12; expanse, 16"9 to 17'2; wing, 

 5*55 to 5'7 ; tail, 5*5 to 5*9 ; tarsus, 0*85 to 1"0 ; bill from gape, 

 0*83 to 0*9 ; bill at front, 0*6 to 0'66 ; closed wings short of 

 tail, 3-3 to 3-7. 



Four females — Length, 10*4 to 11*4; expanse, 16 to 17; 

 wing, 5-25 to 65; tail, 4-9 to 5'8; tarsus, 0-85 to 0-9; bill 

 from gape, 0*8 to 0"85 ; bill at front, 0*6 to 0"65 ; closed wings 

 short of tail, 2*9 to 3*6. 



Bill horny black ; gape and orbit purple ; irides brown, hazel, 

 yellow brown, orange yellow, and yellow; feet purple red ; claws 

 black. 



The Spotted Dove is a permanent resident in the valley of 

 Nepal, not ascending the hills. It is common in winter in the 

 Nawakot district, the Chitlang Valley, Bichiakoh and the 

 plains. 



* I am bound to note that having examined all these specimens I came to a 

 preciselj opposite conclusion. — Ed. 



