110



Mr. T. H. Newman,



“females. The male acquired the black hood at once, and there

“ never was any other colour, so I suppose that your young birds

“will do the same.”—H. D. A.


[However inappropriate a name may seem, it must be recognised and

adopted providing it was the first name given with a description of the species

in a recognised ornithological journal. I quite agree that the name cucullatus

describes the bird in question better than dissimilis does, but that is not the

point. If P. cucullatus is proved to be the same bird as the one previously

described under the name of P. dissimilis, then Mr. North’s name, proposed

in 1909 , must give place to Professor Collett’s name proposed in 1908 , however

much we may prefer the one to the other.


Whether the two are really synonymous or not is another matter. I

published a note on this subject in this Journal for April 1910 , and I considered

then that the two must be distinct, as I could not see how the crown of P.

cucullatus could be described as dark chestnut. There is, however, a tendency

in hot climates for black feathers to fade to a rusty tinge, and this may

possibly account for Professor Collett mistaking the colour for “ dark chest¬

nut.” I am inclined to agree with Mr. Astley that it would be remarkable for

the young of a black-crowned species to exhibit a chestnut colour on the crown,

although I suggested this as a possibility. But I think the theory of the

plumage being faded is more likely to be correct.


Mr. Gregory Mathews, who has for some years been working on the

birds of Australia in connection with his great book, tells me that the two

names undoubtedly refer to the same bird, which must in future be known as

P. dissimilis. — D. S-S., Ed. pro tem .\]



THE WHITE-THROATED PIGEON.


(Colurnba albigularis)<


By T. H Newman, E.Z.S.


In 1910 an account of the nesting of my White-throated

Pigeons appeared in our Magazine. As several points were then

left in an unsettled state, and as I believe my birds are still the

only specimens in England, and perhaps in Europe, I now venture

to send a few additional notes. This magnificent species has

proved itself in all ways such an admirable bird in every respect

from an avicultural point of view, being surpassed by none in

beauty, it is perfectly hardy, freely rearing its young even in

the depth of Winter, it is amiable in disposition (exceptionally so



