NICORAR PIGEONS 
their history required two ci!stin6l figures. 
The bird from which I drew my figure is 
now— A. D. 1762 — hving in the menagerie 
of the Right Honourable Earl Tilney, at his 
house in Essex. Albin calls it the Ninkcora- 
bar Pigeon on his plate, and Nincombar in his 
description. The established name of the 
island from whence it came is Nicobar ; and, 
with some smaller companions about it, the 
Nicobars. They are situated to the north of 
Sumatra, from seven to nine degrees north la- 
titude. Brisson has taken Albin's name and 
description of this bird into his Ornithology, 
My intention in figuring it was to excel those 
of Albin : how far 1 have succeeded, the public 
mayj udge." 
Here is a very honest, though blunt, avowal 
of Edwards's intention to surpass Albin ; and 
it is but justice to acknowledge, ttiat he does 
not appear to have over-rated his own abi- 
lities. 
Buffon, who abridges the description of 
Edwards, notices the inferiority of AiMi\ 
Accordir.g 
