1857.] Description of a new Indian Pigeon. 221 



though whether they came from the hills I cannot say." These 

 Pigeons have hitherto been observed only in the N. W. of India. 



3. Columba, L. (as restricted to the ' Rockier' group of the 

 major continent). Of this type, the Prince of Canino recognises 

 several nearly affined races, some of which differ more or less in 

 habit, as well as in the details of colouring. Prom certain of these 

 races, all the numerous varieties of domestic Pigeons have un- 

 doubtedly descended. 



The most unlike the rest is the fine Snow Pigeon of the Himalaya 

 (C. leuconota, Vigors), which is confined to great elevations near 

 the snow, and assuredly does not appear to have given origin to any 

 domestic variety. 



The European Eock Pigeon (C. litia, Latham), according to the 

 Prince of Canino, is found identically the same in Europe, Egypt, 

 the whole Barbary coast, and thence on to Senegal and the Gold 

 coast.* It is said to abound in the islands of Madeira and Tene- 

 riffe. Northward, it is common in the Hebrides, and in the Orkney, 

 Shetland, and Paroe Isles ; but in Scandinavia is altogether con- 

 fined to the island of Eunneson, on the S. "W. coast of Norway, 

 where it breeds in great numbers.f According to Temminck, Japa- 

 nese specimens do not differ in any respect. It also abounds along 

 the rocky shores of the Mediterranean and JEgean (Italy, Sicily, 

 Malta, Greece, <&c), and those of the Euxine and Caspian ; evincing 

 everywhere a decided and remarkable predeliction for the crevices 

 and especially the deep caverns and recesses of sea-cliffs, even 

 where the entrance is close over the water at the height of the tide : 

 it penetrates further into such recesses than any sea-bird is known 

 to do. It also feeds more on the tops of plants than the domestic 

 races do habitually ;£ and small Helices are commonly found in its 

 craw. Though rarely, if ever, inhabiting inland, unless somewhat 

 domesticated, sundry old-established dove-cots have been stocked 

 with it in various parts of Britain, where the race is maintained 



* Comptes Rendus, torn. XXXIX, 1107. 



f Nilsson, as quoted by Major Lloyd, ' Scandinavian Adventures,' II, 336. 

 X The British Cushat is a great devourer of turnip-tops, as remarked by Gil- 

 bert White. 



