PIGEONS. 



the banyan (on the small red fig of which it feeds), that if a 

 bird does not move yon may look for many minntes before you 

 see one, although there may be fifty in the tree." 



There is a pigeon found in the MoUucoa and Pacific Islands, 

 which, Ifcough not of very splendid appearance, has attractions 

 of a far more substantial nature. It is the Oarunculated Ground 

 Pigeon, or the " Oceanic Fruit Pigeon," as it is sometimes 

 called. In size it about equals the common turtle, but is a 

 bulkier bird. The base of the bill and forehead is covered with 

 a naked red skin, and the chin bears a good-sized wattle, which 

 turns upwards ou each side towards the ears. The head, 

 cheeks, neck, and breast, are of a purplish grey, and the 

 remainder of the plumage dingy grey, margined with white. 



In a natural history of birds, of some repute, we find the 

 following singular notice of the ground pigeon : — " These birds 

 inhabit the forests of the MoUuccas, Celebes, Australia, and 

 the Pacific islands. Their food consists of fruit and berries. 

 That of the precious nutmeg, or rather of its soft covering, 

 known to us by the name of mace, afibrds, at certain seasons, 

 a favourable repast to some species ; and upon this luxurious 

 diet they become so loaded with fat, as frequently, when shot, 

 to burst asunder when they fall to the ground. And here we 

 may observe the remarkable provision nature has made for the 

 propagation as well as dissemination of this valuable spice; 

 for the 1 nutmeg itself, which is generally swallowed with the 

 whole of its pulpy covering, passes uninjured through the 

 digestive organs of the birds, and is thus dispersed through the 

 group of the Molluccas and other islands of the East. Indeed, 

 from repeated experiments, it appears that an artificial prepa- 

 ration, analogous to that which it undergoes iu its passage 

 through the bird, is necessary to insure the growth and fertility 

 of the nut ; and it was not till after many unsuccessful attempts 

 had been made, that a lixivium of Hme, in which the nuts were 

 steeped for a certain time, was found to have the wished-for 

 efiect, and to induce the germinating tendency." 



The Topknot Pigeon is another of the handsome CohmUcke. 

 It IS a native of Southern and Eastern Australia, and is most 

 plentifully found in the bushes of the Ulawarra and Hunter 

 rivers. It is about seventeen inches long, and, as its powerfd 

 feet and general structure betoken, is a tree dweller, and of the 

 loftiest pretensions ; for it is seldom or never seen to make its 

 nest except in the topmost branches. Its prevailing colour is 

 silver-grey; its eyes are orange colour, ringed with crimson; 



