1840,] 



of the Peninsula of India, 



11 



dholl, and in the Carnatic so much in those of the grain called wanagon^ 

 as to be named the " Wanagon Bird" 



It feeds chiefly in the morning, and is then easily raised, but during 

 the heat of the day it lies very close, and is flushed with difficulty. It 

 seldom flies far, but often runs a long way to escape being raised, 

 especially on open ground. The chief food of the florikin is grasshoppers. 

 I have also found blister beetles {Mylabris), scarabsei and other insects, 

 and even occasionally centipedes and small lizards. I have sometimes, 

 though rarely, heard it utter a kind of sharp quirk as it rose from the 

 ground. It has also a kind of feeble plaintive chirp, or piping note when 

 running. Its flesh is delicate, and of excellent flavour, and it is the most 

 esteemed of the Indian game birds 5 and its pursuit is a favourite sport. 

 From the open nature of the ground it frequents, it is well adapted for 

 being hawked, and both the Luggur and Shaheen are often flown at it. 



The egg is of a stunted thick ovoid form, very obtuse at the larger 

 end, and of a dark olive colour. 



Length of the male 18-19 inches ; of wing 8 ; tail 4 ; tarsus hardly 4 ; 

 bill front ItV^^ ; weight 16-18 oz. 



Length of female 19^ to 21 inches ; of one 20J ; wing 9| ; tail nearly 

 5 ; tarsus 4| ; bill front 1| ; weight 20 to 24 oz. ; bill dusky above, 

 edges of upper, and all lower mandible, whitish. Irides pale yellowish ; 

 legs dirty whitish yellow. 



Family COLVUBIDM.-- Pigeons and Doves. 



Genus PTILINOPUS, Swains. 



283. —P. JElphinstoniif Sykes. — Imperial Pigeon of the Neilgherries. 



I have hitherto only found this fine pigeon in the dense woods on the 

 summit of the Neilgherries, in small parties, or single. It is a retired 

 and wary bird. I found various fruits and small shells in its stomach. 

 Irides ochre yellow. Length about 15 inches. 



Genus CARPOPHAGA, Selby. 



284. — C. cenea. — CoL cenea^ Auct. — Pogonnah, Mai. — Imperial Green 

 Pigeon. 



The imperial pigeon of Europeans on the West Coast is found in all 

 the lofty forests of the West Coast, single or in small parties of 3 or 4. 

 It feeds on various kinds of fruit, and has a single low plaintive note. 



