MASKED PIGEON. 



61 



black : the quill-feathers are of a very singular 

 construction, being curved, for about three-fourths 

 of their length, in the shape of a sabre, towards 

 their extremities describing an inverted parabola ; 

 they are likewise divided into two parts towards 

 their extremities ; the interior webs being pro- 

 longed in the form of a rounded point, and the 

 exterior ones being terminated in a sharp point. 

 Found in the Sandwdch islands. 



The whole of the plumage of these birds has a 

 rich velvety appearance. 



MASKED PIGEON. 

 (Columba larvata.) 



Co. Jacie alba, collo, cervice pectoreque violaceis, viridi aureo 

 variantibus, alis dorsoque Juscis, aldomine rufo. 



Pigeon with a white face ; the neck, cervix, and breast viola- 

 ceous, varied with green-gold j the wings and back brown : 

 the abdomen rufous, 



Columba larvata. Temm. Pig, Ind. p. 47 1. 



Colombe a masque blanc. Le Vaill. Ois, D^Afriq, v. 6. pL 260. 

 — Temm, Pig. {8vo.) p. 266, 



Discovered by Le Vaillant, and by him de- 

 scribed in his splendid work on the African birds : 

 it is well discriminated by a white mark that covers 

 the forehead : the cheeks and the throat, as well 

 as the whole of the neck, the breast, the shoulders, 



