CARPOPHAGIN^E. 157 



examined. Like the Green Pigeons, it betakes itself to river 

 banks to drink, about 8 or 9 A. m., and again, I believe, in the 

 afternoon. Its call is a low, deep, plaintive moan, called, however, 

 by one writer, a ' harsh and croaking note, not unlike the croaking 

 of a bull frog.' Tickell describes its call as deep and ventrilo- 

 quous. The flesh is excellent eating. A writer in the Bengal 

 Sporting Review states that, "a wounded bird will erect the feathers 

 of its head and neck, and buffet with its wings the hand which 

 captures it." 



Blyth describes another species, C. insularis, from the Nicobars, 

 with the upper parts darker, inclining to steel-blue, .and the tail 

 blue black. C. <snea, from the Moluccas, and C. chalybura, Bonap., 

 from the Philippines, appear closely allied to our bird, and there 

 are others described from the more distant islands. 



The species of Globicera are distinguished by a fleshy knob 

 at the base of the bill, which is said to be more highly developed 

 in the male at the breeding season, but, otherwise, barely differs 

 from Carpophaga. Nine species are recorded by Bonaparte, chiefly 

 from the Oceanic region. 



The next species, with some others, has been separated undetf 

 Hodgson's generic name Ducula, but it scarcely differs^ except in 

 its less metallic colors. Bonaparte states that the tail is somewhat 

 more lengthened, and the tips of the primaries less rounded. 



781. Carpophaga Insignis, Hodgson, 



Ducula, apud ..Hodgson — Blyth, Cat. 1404 — C. cuprea, 

 Jerdon, Cat. 285 — C. badia, Raffles ? — Dukul, H. in Nepal— 

 Phomok-pho, Lepch. — Taggusam, Bhot. 



The Bronze-backed Imperial Pigeon. 



Descr. — The whole head, neck, and under parts, pale lilac-grey, 

 in some parts tinged with ruddy; back and wings vinaceous 

 brown, with a faint coppery gloss; rump and upper tail-coverts 

 dusky cinereous ; tail dusky, with its terminal fourth dull ashy 

 above ; chin white ; under tail-coverts buffy white ; tips of the 

 tail beneath whitish grey. 



PART II. 3 M 



