COLUMBA TROCAZ. 



" Ash ; head, neck, belly and rump, blue ash ; neck only irridescent and 

 imbricated ; breast and shoulders vinous ; length 18 inches ; tarsus 1^ inch ; 

 imbricated feathers more conspicuous in the Female than in the Male. 

 (Adult Female in the Spring.)" 



Weight about 18 ounces. 



" I am almost afraid to hazard either a specific name or a " nobis" to this 

 pigeon, the genus is so extensive, and I have so little practical knowledge 

 of it. I cannot, however, reconcile it with any species given by Wagler 

 in his Sy sterna Avium, and should it prove to be hitherto undescribed, 

 would propose its provincial name " Trocaz," as a specific designation. It 

 is found in the most wooded and unfrequented parts of the island, and is so 

 shy and difficult to get at, that I can learn little of its hah its. The Pa- 

 lumbus * (which is much more rare here), is occasionally seen at the same 

 spots with it ; but there is not the least reason to suspect that they ever 

 cross together, or ever associate intimately. An intermediate plumage is 

 never seen, and they are both constant in their marks to a feather. The 

 berries of Per sea fastens are found in its stomach ; and during the berry 

 season, the birds are fattest and best flavoured. They build in high trees 

 in the thickest and most inaccessible places ; and as a nest is rarely taken, 

 I can give no accounts of either the eggs or young ; they are killed gene- 

 rally when drinking." 



* Mr Carrutheiis has noted the common blue rock pigeon, and another species very similar 

 which he could not ascertain, as inhabitants of the Island, with the common wood pigeon of this 

 country. The turtle dove is an occasional but rare visitant. 



