30 



C. laurivora it is impossible to determine, until such time as examples are procured from Gomera 

 for examination and comparison. At present all the information I can with certainty glean 

 respecting this species is that given by Mr. Godman, who writes (I. c.) as follows: — " For some 

 time I was under the impression that this bird was not to be distinguished from the white-tailed 

 one ; but on a further examination of the type specimen of G. laurivora in the Paris Museum, 

 and on a close comparison of my skins with that in the British Museum, I have no doubt of there 

 being two species of Wood-Pigeon in the Canaries. I procured, in all, nine skins, which include 

 both sexes and young birds. The first I shot in a ravine above Orotava, where I had been told 

 they came to feed in the early morning upon the fruit of the laurel (Persea indica). There 

 were three or four more in this flock; but though I watched for them afterwards for two or 

 three days under the same tree, they would not come within shot. I saw this Pigeon also in the 

 laurel-forest of Taraconte, where I spent a couple of days after them without success. I here, 

 however, found three old nests, which the ' Guarda ' told me belonged to this Pigeon. They 

 were either in the tree-heath or the laurel trees, about twenty feet from the ground, and built 

 of sticks, much the same as our Wood-Pigeon's. I afterwards found this bird more abundant in 

 the forest of Taganana, at the east end of the island, about 5000 feet above the sea, where I 

 procured the rest of my specimens. It is a very shy bird ; and the best way to get them is to 

 hide under the laurel trees where it comes to feed. It is occasionally seen, early in the morning, 

 lower down, upon the patches of corn, but always retires to the dark forest during the middle of 

 the day, at which time they do not fly much, unless disturbed. Those I killed had their crops 

 full of the fruit of the Persea indica." 



The eggs of this Pigeon are, as yet, unknown, but they will doubtless be found closely to 

 resemble those of our common Wood-Pigeon. I am indebted to Mr. F. DuCane Godman for the 

 only specimen of this Pigeon I possess ; but those in his collection, which I have also had on 

 loan, being somewhat better-coloured specimens, I have selected one of these latter to figure and 

 describe, it being the type from which Mr. Godman's description was made. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser, 

 a, J. Taganana, Teneriffe, 10th May, 1871 (F. D. Godman). 



U Mus. Salvin and Godman. 



a, 6 , b, c, ? . Taganana, Teneriffe, 13th March, 1871 (F. D. G.). d, $ . Taganana, 10th May. e, $ . Orotava, 

 21st April. f,6,-g,$. Taganana, 24th May, 1871 (F. D. G.). 



