CHALCOPHAPS INDICA (Linn). 



(The Peace-making Pigeon.) 



By Mr. G. D. ROWLEY. 



(Plate LI.) 



Sir J. Emerson Tennent remarks (in ' Sketches of the Natural History of 

 Ceylon/ p. 258) : — A Pigeon " called by the natives ^ Neela-cobeya ' (^Chalco- 

 phaps indicus^ Linn.), although strikingly elegant both in shape and colour^ is 

 still more remarkable for the singularly soothing efPect of its low and 

 harmonious voice. A gentleman w^ho has spent many years in the jungle, in 

 writing to me on this bird and on the effects of its melodious song, says that 

 ^its soft and melancholy notes, as they came from some solitary place in the 

 forest^ were the most gentle sounds I ever listened to. Some sentimental 

 smokers assert that the influence of the propensity is to make them feel as if 

 they could freely forgive all who had ever offended them ; and I can declare 

 with truth such has been the effect on my own nerves of the plaintive 

 murmurs of the 'Neela-cobeya' that sometimes, when irritated (and not 

 without reason) by the perverseness of my native followers, the feeling has 

 almost instantly subsided into placidity on suddenly hearing the loving tones 

 of these beautiful birds.' " 



Sir Hans Sloane appears to have entertained the same partiality ; for 

 he kept one of these Doves in a cage, as stated by Edwards (vol. i. p. 14). 

 Edwards also figures the species (plate 14). 



