R A S R E S. 



255 



2. Genus CAKPOPHAGA, Sdhi/, Naturalist's Library, Orn. V, p. 112 (1835). 

 1. Carpopuaga novae ZEALANDiiE {Ginelin). 



Columha novae zealandia:, Gm. Syst. Nat. I, p. 773 (1788). 



CfAumba spadicea et zealandica, Lath. Ind. Orn. II, p. 603, and Supp. p. 60 (1790, 

 1801). 



Columha leucogastra, Wagler, Syst. Av. (not paged, 1827). 

 Colmnha argetraea, FoRSTER, Dcsc. An. p. 80 (1844). 



Knip & Prev. Pig. II, Plate I ; Reichenbach, VoUst. Naturg. Birds, 

 Plate CXXXVIII, fig. 1286, Plate CCCVII, fig. 2480. 



Specimens of this magnificent Pigeon are in the collection of the 

 Expedition, and were obtained in New Zealand. On examination and 

 close comparison with others in Mr. Gould's collection in the Museum 

 of the Philadelphia Academy, from Australia and Norfolk Island, we 

 can detect no differences sufficient, in our estimation, to induce a sus- 

 picion that there is any specific distinction, though the New^ Zealand 

 bird has been regarded as distinct by eminent and reliable ornitholo- 

 gists. All the specimens to which we allude are, in our judgment, of 

 one species only, and we regard all the names above given as syno- 

 nymes. 



This fine species is the type of the genus HemipJiaga, established by 

 the Prince Bonaparte in his Monograph in Conspectus Avium, II, p. 

 38. It is probably a subgeneric form only of the genus Carpophaga. 



Mr. Peale remarks in reference to this bird : 



" The Cuciipyi, or Virgin, as this beautiful Pigeon is called by the 

 natives, was observed in great numbers in the woody districts of the 

 Bay of Islands, New Zealand. We never saw it alight on the ground, 

 but observed that it preferred the hilly country and the dense foliage 

 of the tall forest trees for its retreat. 



" The sexes difier but little from each other, the males being a trifie 

 the larger, and more brilliant in golden and copper reflections. A 

 female measured nineteen and one-eighth inches in length, and thirty- 



