E, A S R E S. 



257 



tail, dark metallic blue, with green reflections, the latter color appear- 

 ing to predominate in some lights. Under wing-coverts and inferior 

 surface of tlie tail brownish-black ; bill and claws black. " Feet lake- 

 red ; irides bright crimson" (Mr. Peale) . 



Hab. — Aurora or Maitea Island, one of the Society Islands. Spe- 

 cimen in Nat. Mus. Washington. 



This large and handsome Pigeon belongs to the same group as Car- 

 po])haga perspicillata (Temm. PI. Col. 246), and which includes also, 

 C. aenea (Linn.), C. Jacernulata (Temm.), C. rosacea (Temm.), C. 

 oceanica (Less.), and others. From the species mentioned, the present 

 bird may readily be distinguished by the dark color of the inferior 

 coverts of its wings, but it does not, however, in other respects, in- 

 timately resemble either of them. The fine pale cinereous of the head, 

 neck, and breast, of this bird, is without any vinous tinge whatever, 

 and is separated distinctly and abruptly from the dark blue of the 

 upper parts of the body. It bears a greater resemblance to CarpopJiaga 

 perspiciUaia (Temm.), than to any other species with which we are 

 acquainted, but not to such an extent as to be readily mistaken for it. 

 It also is allied to G. myristicivora (Scopoli). The assigning of this 

 species by the Prince Bonaparte to his genus Glohlcera (Consp. Av. II, 

 p. 32), is not strictly correct. It belongs more properly to the group 

 regarded by him as typical Carpophaga. 



Of this fine species, Mr. Peale observes : 



" This beautiful Pigeon was found in great abundance in high woody 

 districts amongst the coral rocks on Aurora or Maitea Island, one of 

 the Society Group. All that we obtained were males, and found soli- 

 tary amidst the thick foliage of Guetarda speciosa, on the fruit and 

 flowers of which they were feeding, and were very fat. Their note 

 was a single deep and sonorous hoot, which might readily have been 

 mistaken for that of an owl ; they were not shy, but it was difficult to 

 see them when sitting in the thick foliage, as they remained perfectly 

 still on our approach." 



This bird may be regarded as one of the most interesting of the 

 zoological discoveries of the Expedition, and is one of the most hand- 

 some as well as one of the largest species of the family of Pigeons. 

 The metallic blue of the upper parts is in the adult a very beautiful 

 color, and rarely occurs in this group. 



Go 



