1845.] Drafts for a Fauna Indica. 863 



mynah and (rose- ringed) parroquet, they multiply to a vast extent; and 

 the more so, as being held in religious veneration by some, and in spe- 

 cial favour by all natives, their destruction is prevented wherever there 

 exists the power. They are so devoid of timidity, that even in the 

 midst of crowded cities, they will build on the cornices in the open 

 verandahs of inhabited houses. When this takes place in the dwel- 

 ling of a native, their tenure is secure ; as their making such selection is 

 looked upon as a happy omen, and their dismission as the sure fore- 

 runner of evil fortune. Pairs frequently take up their quarters among 

 the domestic pigeons of the dove-cot ; indeed, it is not an easy matter to 

 prevent their doing so, and intermingling the breed. In the cold wea- 

 ther, they flock and frequent the paddy-stubble in large numbers."* 

 Capt. Hutton informs me that this bird " is found in Affghanistan, 

 where, as in many parts of India, it builds in wells and ruined buildings : 

 the kazeezes, or Artesian wells of Affghanistan, are sometimes crowded 

 with them. They occur also in the Doon, and are known as the common 

 blue pigeon. At Mussoorie, I have only seen them in the cultivated 

 fields, low down on the sides of hills, in warm situations." 



Being the original stock of the domestic pigeons of India, some 

 notice of the latter should here be introduced. I have not, however, 

 paid much attention to the several varieties ; the more choice of which 

 are, besides, kept chiefly by the Moguls in the Upper Provinces, and it is 

 there that observations should be recorded of them. A chapter is devot- 

 ed to the rearing of pigeons in the Ayeen Akbaree, and a number of breeds 

 or races enumerated ; but nothing definite can be understood of their 

 distinguishing characters. . The different kinds are chiefly esteemed for 

 performing sundry aerial evolutions, and returning at once from any 

 height at an accustomed signal. But to quote the work cited : — " There 

 are also many other beautiful pigeons, which, although they neither 

 wheel nor tumble in the air, yet perform many pleasing tricks ; amongst 

 these are the following, — The Kowkh, which seems to say the words 

 yak-roo. The Luckeh [f ant ail], whose cooing is very agreeable, and he 

 carries his head with astonishing pride and stateliness. The Lowtun, who 

 upon being shaken, and then put upon the ground, jumps about with 

 strange convulsive motions." (This may be seen at any of the Calcutta 

 bird-dealers ; shaken two or three times in the hand, and the head more 



* " India Sporting Review," No. IV, 121. 



