Ulustralions of Indian Ornithology. 



that ours is that species, Sykes' bird being the female, which appears always to retain the 

 black bill, and Mr- Blyth informs me that the adult female of P. ponticerianus also has the 

 beak black- 



The Hindustani name Muddengour Totah, was applied to a specimen of this bird 

 by one Shikaree, but in Latham's work I see that the P. ponticerianus is known by that 

 name, and I presume it was incorrectly applied in my case, as the columboides is a species 

 of such comparative local distribution. 



Description. Male. Plumage generally of a light dove colour ; a black collar 

 extends round the neck, widest beneath and reaching to the base of the lower mandible, 

 and bordered posteriorly by a light blueish green collar; face pale green; lower part of 

 back, rump and upper tail coverts also light green ; wing coverts dark green edged with 

 yellowish white; shoulders blackish green; lower part of abdomen and under tail coverts 

 very pale yellow green ; quills and centre tail feathers blue, the latter tipped with yellowish 

 white ; the rest of the tail feathers green on the outer side, yellow on the inner side of the 

 shaft, those next the centre feathers almost blue on the outer side. Bill coral red above, 

 dusky beneath. Irides pale yellow. Legs and feet plumbeous. Length 15 to 16 inches. 

 Wing 5| to 6, Tail 8 J to 9. 



The Female differs in having a dusky black bill, and in the plumage generally 

 being more tinged with green. 



The other Indian species of Palsornis are, 1st P. Alexandri, Race Totah H. Rare 

 in Southern India— Common in Ceylon — I obtained a specimen in Travancore which was 

 struck by a Shaheen f Falco ShaheenJ and was dropped on my firing at it. I also found it 

 breeding in the hole of a large tree in the north of the Deccan. 2d P. Torquatus, Lyber 

 Totah H. Abundant over all India, feeding not only on fruit, but also very destructive to 

 grain. 3d P. cijanocephalus L., P. bengalensis, erythrocephalus , and gingianus Auct. Tooeeah 

 Totah H. An inhabitant of all the jungly districts of India, and also found about well 

 wooded towns. It visits the open country in large flocks from .July to September. Other 

 species found in the Himalayas are P. schistaceus, Hodgson, and P. ponticerianus Auct. 



