12 Notes on the Nidification of Indian Birds, [Julv ? 



probable that it migrates to the eastward on leaving Mussooree, as it 

 does not winter in the Doon, nor does it occur there even in summer, 

 being apparently a true hill species. In confinement it looses or does 

 not put on the maronne mantle which ornaments the wild bird, and the 

 plumage assumes a dull greenish-ashy hue, in which state it is the T. 

 cantillans of Mr. Blyth.* The nest is composed of dried twigs, and 

 the eggs are usually 2 in number and pure white, and more gracefully 

 ovate than those of Turtur risorius. Diameter 1 T 2 ^ % \^ inches. The 

 breeding season is from the end of April till the latter end of June ; 

 the nest a slight platform, usually placed in high forest trees. In 

 October they collect into small flocks of G or 8, and quit the neighbour- 

 hood of Mussooree ; — where do they then go to ? The female differs 

 from the male in the absence of the fulvous colour of the top of the 

 head and breast, and in wanting the beautiful maronne colour on the 

 mantle and lesser wing-coverts ; the greater wing-coverts are also more 

 broadly edged with pale yellow. I observe that Mr. Blyth states of 

 this species that it is distinguishable from T. nipalensis, (Hodgson,) 

 " by having but a slight pale yellow margin to only the great coverts 

 of the wing ;" whereas in both male and female, the great coverts, 

 tertiaries, and primaries are edged with that colour, although on the 

 latter it amounts to a mere thread. These birds are very fond of the 

 wild mulberries and other forest fruits. Gould, in his ' Century of Birds,' 

 appears to think the species is only found far within the mountains, 

 whereas it occurs on the outer or southernmost range overhanging the 

 Doon, from an elevation of 4,000 feet, probably to the snows. The Huryal, 

 or T. phcenicopterus, lays a similar egg, but is confined to the plains^ 

 ranging up to the base of the mountains but never ascending them. 

 No. 17. — " Turtur risorius" Selby. 



Columba risoria t Linn. 



T. douraca, Hodg., Gray. 

 This is common in the Doon at all seasons, but only visits Mussoo- 

 ree during summer, arriving on the hills about the end of March and 

 returning to the plains in October. It breeds in April, May and June, 

 making a loose platform nest of dried twigs, with a few roots within ; 

 the eggs are 2 in number and pure white ; diameter 1 T \ % |f inches. 



* In the bird described by me as Tr. cantillans, the maronne colour is retained, and 

 the green replaced by pearl-grey. I now believe, however, with Capt. Hutton, that 

 it is a cage variety of Tr. sphenurus. — E. B. 



