VINAGO AUSTRALIS, Stephens. 

 Southern Vinago. 



PLATE LXXXI. 



V. viridis, humeris violaceis, secundariis ad apicem flavo marginatis, abdomine femori- 

 busque maculatis, cauda grisea, tegminibus inferioribus rufis. 



Vinago australis, Stephens, contin. Shaw's Zool. vol. vi. p. 115. 



Columba australis, Lath. Ind. Orn. vol.ii. p. 604. sp. 41.— Temm. Nat. Hist. Pig. et Gal. 



p. 440. 

 Palumbus viridis Madagascariensis, Briss. Orn. vol. i. p. 142. 37- 1. 14. f. 2. — Id. 8vo, 



vol. i. p. 36. 

 Pigeon ramier verd de Madagascar, Buff. vol. ii. p. 540. 

 Madagascar Pigeon, Lath. Syn. vol. iv. p. 641. 35. var. A. 

 Southern Vinago, Sham's Zool. vol. xi. p. 115. 



In this species, which we have figured as typical of the genus Vinago, the 

 peculiar characters which have led to the separation of the group from the 

 other divisions of the Colambidce, are well marked and developed, the 

 bill being very strong, thick and compressed, the tarsi short and feathered 

 below the joint, the toes furnished with a broad lateral membrane, and 

 thick falcated sharp claws, rendering these instruments admirably adapted 

 for perching and retaining a firm hold of the branches of trees. Like the 

 other species of this genus, it is a native of the old continent, and inhabits 

 the tropical forests of Africa, and is plentiful, as some of its synonyms im- 

 ply, in the Island of Madagascar. Its food consists of fruits, as well those 

 which are soft and fleshy, as those of a more indurated texture, and the 

 kernels of such stones as it is enabled to break by the strength of its bill. 

 Length about 12 inches. The head, neck, breast and belly, are sulphur- 

 yellow ; the back, rump, and middle wing-coverts, deep green ; at the bend 

 of the wing is a large patch or epaulette of pale auricula-purple : the greater 

 wing-coverts are deeply tipped with primrose-yellow, forming a well marked 

 bar of that colour across the wings ; the secondaries and greater quills are 



