GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 



157 



as to the identity of the species, as we killed and closely examined many African specimens in their 

 native haunts, and found them in every respect like such as inhabit Asia. 



This species is generally diffused throughout India, where it frequents hedges and trees in the 

 neighbourhood of cultivated districts, and also low bush or reed jungle ; it is also found in Ceylon, 

 but is rare in Malabar and the countries east of the Bay of Bengal. Layard notices its partiahty for 

 euphorbia bushes, on which, he says, it generally builds its nest. 



Like the other Doves, it breeds in the plains at all seasons, it also appears to ascend the hills 

 near Mussoora to breed there in spring. The " coo," says Blyth, is quite different from that of the 

 domestic Turtle Dove, and may be expressed by "kookoo-koo, kookoo-koo." 



DW.\RF PIGEON {Clialcopelcia Afia). 



THE DWARF PIGEON. 



The Dwarf Pigeon {Chakopclda Afni), a small and delicate species found in Africa, represents 

 a group recognisable by their short, rounded tail, high tarsi, and the very remarkable metallic 

 coloration of the upper secondary quills. In this bird the sombre olive-bro\\-n mantle is reheved by 

 a yellowish sheen ; the top of the head is grey ; the brow and throat are whitish ; the under side is 

 reddish grey, with belly of a very pale tint, and black rump. The quills are blackish brown, with 

 cinnamon-red roots and inner web ; the metalHc patches on the plumage gleam with deep blueish 

 black ; the centre tail-feathers are olive-brown, and those at the exterior black. The eye is red, the 

 beak blackish, and the foot yellowish red. This species is seven inclies and a quarter long. The 

 wing measures four and the tail three inches. 



The Dwarf Pigeon inhabits the southern and eastern parts of Africa, rarely appearing, according 

 to our own observations, farther north than sixteen degrees north latitude. Amongst the forests in the 



