which there is a lack throughout Ceylon of the extensive cultivated tracts which are necessary to the 

 existence of this Pigeon. 



" The island off Nilavele is a mass of rock, its coast-line consisting of enormous boulders, and its summit 

 divided by large crevices into huge ' humps ' of stone, on which, as well as on the surrounding masses, 

 the Pigeons perch in scores. They fly across to the mainland in the early morning, and make their 

 incursions over the adjoining paddy-fields, returning about noon to their stronghold, where, though they are 

 difficult to approach, when not feeding they seem to evince little fear, owing probably to their being 

 crammed with food. On the occasion of a visit to this spot with a friend we shot numbers, but did not 

 succeed in driving away the flock ; for they flew round and round over the water, and speedily realighted on 

 the rock. About 3 o'clock they start off again to the mainland, flying very strongly ; and they may be met 

 with almost everywhere along the adjoining sea-board during the afternoon. I have seen two or three at 

 times feeding on the salt flats around the Nilavele lake ; but what they were picking up I do not know. 

 They are very destructive to the paddy, and devour an enormous quantity at a time, extending their crops 

 with it to such an extent, that I have taken a moderately sized salt-cellar full from a specimen I was 

 skinning." 



The principal figure in the Plate represents the species of the natural size, and is drawn from a specimen 

 in my own collection. 



[R. B. S.] 



