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Genus CARPOPHAGA, — Selby. 
In this group, which is composed of birds of a 
much larger size than the preceding, the wings, though 
possessing the same relative proportions, have no 
emargination or sudden narrowing of the tip of the 
first quill. Their tarsi also are not so thickly or en- 
tirely feathered ; and their nostrils are placed nearer 
to the base of the bill. In some species, green, yel- 
low, and purple, are the prevailing colours ; in others 
a rich bronzed or metallic colour composes the upper 
plumage, exhibiting shades of deep green and pur- 
ple, according to the light in which it is viewed, 
while in those which lead the way to the typical 
pigeons, the tints become less vivid and more uni- 
form in their distribution. Their bill is considerably 
depressed at the base, the membrane in which the 
nostrils are placed but little prominent or swollen, 
the tip compressed and moderately arched, the tomia 
slightly sinuated. The forehead is low, and the fea- 
thers advance considerably upon the soft portion of 
the bill. In many of them a caruncle or gi-istly knob, 
varying in size and shape according to the species, 
grows upon the basal part of the upper mandible du- 
ring the season of propagation. This is supposed to 
be common to both sexes, as the female is described 
with it in Duperry’s Voyage. After this epoch it 
