1836.] Description of a New Species of Columba. 123 



ous species of this genus, according to the specification of those allot- 

 ments in the 14th vol. of Shaw's Zoology, as will be perceived by the 

 following enumeration of characteristic particulars. 



There is a naked space round the eyes. Two-thirds of the tarsi are 

 plumose, the remaining third only being naked, and the toes also are 

 naked. The quills are. simple at their tips. The feathers of the neck 

 are sub-elongated and acuminated at their tips. The tail is even. 



In an earlier vol. of Shaw, the Abcdarian division of the species is 

 not carried so far as in the vol. just mentioned : and the following 

 disposition of species, to be found in vol. xi. p. 2, of that work, has at 

 least nothing inconsistent with the enumeration of significant particulars 

 above given in reference to our bird. 



A. tail equal. 



a. orbits naked, feathers of the neck elongated, and acuminated 

 at their tips. 



Comparing, for the sake of further illustration, our bird with the 

 Columba Livia, or common pigeon, it differs in being larger ; in having 

 the soft membrane at the base of the bill less tumid and mealy ; in 

 having a somewhat longer tail, and shorter, and more lowly feathered 

 tarsi, not to mention the naked space round its eyes, and other diagnos- 

 tic particulars, which have been separately explained. 



The wings are about the same length as in the common species ; but 

 owing to the tail being longer than in that species, they have the 

 appearance of being shorter, and they do not reach within two inches 

 of the extremity of the tail. 



What further illustration of this species may be needed will be best 

 gathered from a perusal of the details of size and proportions given 

 below, and contrasted with those of the common pigeon. I now 

 proceed to the plumage, in respect to which our bird bears a strong 

 resemblance to the Parabolic pigeon. The principal colour is a dark 

 slaty blue, deepened into more or less perfect black in the quills and 

 tail feathers ; and shewing clearest on the lower part of the back, on 

 the lesser tail and wing coverts above, on the thighs, and on the whole 

 of the tail and wing coverts below. Upon the lower part of the hind 

 neck, the upper part of the back, the lesser wing coverts above, and the 

 most part of the body below, the principal colour is almost superseded 

 by a rich purplish tinge ; and all the feathers so tinged, save those of 

 the upper back and of the sides of the body, are further adorned by being 

 broadly margined or pointed with pale clear bluish grey. The head 

 and top of the neck are wholly of the softest bluish grey, which colour, 

 as it descends the body, forming in its descent the margins and points 

 just noted, gradually decreases in quantity, and fades in hue. It pre- 



