i6o 



cassell's book of birds. 



the top of a cactus, not more than two feet high." In a wild state these Pigeons feed on various 

 small berries and grass seeds, with which they pick up a considerable quantity of small gravel. They 

 also dust themselves with sand, l)ing down in it after the manner of Partridges. 



The SPARROW-HAWK PIGEONS {Geopelda) are small, graceful birds, remarkable for their 

 slendemess of form and length of tail. Their wings are short and rounded, the tail graduated, and 

 the plumage striped. 



THE STRIPED SPARROW-HAWK PIGEON. 

 The Striped Sparrow-hawk Pigeon (Gcofckia striata) has light brown plumage; all the 



THE KUKULI (Melopeleia meloda). 



feathers on the mantle and under side being striped with black ; the brow and throat are dark grey, 

 the belly and rump whitish ; the quills and feathers of the centre part of the tail-covers of a metallic 

 brown, delicately sprinkled with black towards their roots, and pure white at their extremities. The 

 eye is light brown, the beak pale, and the foot dark yellow. This species is nine inches long, its 

 wing measures three inches and three-quarters. 



The Sunda and Molucca Islands must be regarded as the native land of this Pigeon, which is, 

 however, numerously met with not only in the neighbouring countries, but in Europe. In Java it is 

 very highly esteemed as a domestic favourite, its voice being supposed to act as a charm against 

 witchcraft. Many writers speak of this bird as peculiarly interesting when in captivity, but, although 

 it possesses a sweet pleasing voice, we have been unable to discover anything attractive in its habits. 

 Such caged birds as we have observed were extremely quiet, remaining almost motionless throughout 

 the day, and only coming down from their perch to eat or drink. 



