APPENDIX. 1S7 



They perch for moft part upon the tops of trees, beyond 

 the fphere of the action of Abyffinian powder ; but they fit fo 

 clofe together that I have fometimes mot fix or more at the 

 difcharge of a fingle barrel. The reft immediately plunge 

 down almoft to touch you, apparently ignorant whence fo 

 unaccuftomed a found comes ; there, if you are a good 

 markfman, and alert, you have another-chance, though but 

 a fhort one, for they immediately tower to an immoderate 

 height, and never alight in light unlefs they are wounded. 

 They are exceedingly fat, and by far the befl of all pigeons ; 

 when they fall from a height, without life, upon their back, 

 I have known the flefh on each fide of their breafl-bone fe- 

 parated by the concumon, and the fat upon their rump 

 bruifed like the pulp of an orange. 



Although this is undoubtedly a pigeon, the Abyfhnians 

 do not eat it ; nay, after it is dead they will not touch it, for 

 fear of defiling themfelves, any more than they would do a 

 dead horfe. The waalia is lefs than the common blue pi- 

 geon, but larger than the turtle-dove. Its whole back, and 

 fome of the fhort feathers of its wings, are of a beautiful 

 unvarniihed green, lighter and livelier than an olive. Its 

 head and neck are of a deader green, with flilllefs luftre. Its 

 beak is of a bluifli white, with large noftrils ; the eye blacky 

 with an iris of dark orange. The pinion, or top of its 

 wing, is a beautiful pompadour. The large feathers of the 

 wing are black ; the outer edge of the wing narrowly 

 marked with white ; the tail a pale, dirty blue ; below the 

 tail it is fpotted with brown and white. Its thighs are 

 white, with fmall fpots of brown ; its belly a lively yel- 

 low. Its legs and feet are a yellowiih brown. Its feet flronger 

 and larger than is generally found in this kind of bird. I 



Vol. V. C c never 



