COLUMBAE 327 



of two, the regular number in Birds. The after-shaft is rudi- 

 mentary or absent, the adults have no down, the young are hatched 

 blind and naked, and remain for a long time in the nest. The 

 plumage is commonly dull blue or brown, with an iridescent sheen ; 

 but remarkably brilliant purple, red, yellow, and green hues mani- 

 fest themselves in forms such as Ftilopus, Clirysoenas, and Caloenas 

 from the islands of the Eastern Seas, the headquarters of the 

 Family. Though smaller, the female usually resembles the male ; 

 but Turturoena, Oena, and Feristera are examples of diversity, while 

 immature examples are duller than' adults. Goura approaches the 

 size of a goose, whereas Columbigallina is little larger than a 

 sparrow. Of domestic Pigeons the Eock-Dove is undoubtedly 

 the origin, but the breeds are now infinite in their variety.'' 



Omitting the abnormal Didine Birds, the habits of the 

 members of this group are fairly uniform, the majority of them 

 inhabiting wooded country ; while even those like Phaps, Loplio- 

 phaps, and Geophaps, which occupy the arid plains of Australia, 

 are to be found at times where vegetation is plentiful ; and in all 

 cases the proximity of water seems indispensable. Fruit-Pigeons 

 frequent trees, and the most typical Columbine forms are found in 

 woods or among rocks, though the smaller Doves naturally prefer 

 the lower bushes. Wood-Pigeons towards winter, and Passenger- 

 Pigeons when nesting — ^not to mention other instances- — gather in 

 large flocks ; in some cases, however, the parties only number about 

 half a dozen, and more solitary habits are by no means uncommon. 

 The flight is strong, rapid, and direct, though the Ground-Pigeons 

 remain a comparatively short time upon the wing, and some species 

 prefer to run unless forced to rise, Oena being an especially good 

 walker. The well-known "homing" powers of trained birds, the 

 curious backward somersaults of the Tumbler, and the sudden rise 

 and clap of the wings so noticeable in the Wood-Pigeon when 

 courting, merit a passing mention. Every member of the Family 

 perches, and many delight to bask in the sun. The note is always 

 of the nature of a coo, but is especially loud and deep in Myris- 

 ticivora, Megaloprepia, and some members of Carpophaga, guttural 

 in JSaplopelia, mournful in Feristera and Zenaidura, harsh and 

 trumpet-like in Goura; the voice of the Turtle-Dove suggests a 

 purr, while Tympanistria and Starnoenas possess powers of ven- 



' See Darwin, The Variation of Animals and Plants tinder Domestication, i. 

 London, 1868, pp. 131-224; Tegetmeier, Pigeons, their Strv.ctui-c, etc. London: 1867. 



