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THE NICOBAR GROUND PIGEON. 
Geophilus Nicobaricus. 
PLATE XXIX. 
Columba Nicobarica, Lath. Ind, Omith. ii. p. 60.5. sp. 44.— 
Columba Gallus, W'dgler, Syst. Av. sp. 113. — Colombe- 
Galline a Camail, Temm. Pig. p. 6. t. ii. Id, 8vo,p. 305. 
— Nicobar Pigeon, Edw. t. 339. female. — Lath. Syn. iv. 
p. 642, 38. 
In richness and splendour of plumage, this inte- 
resting species yields to none of the Columbid®, 
though it may not he able to compete in elegance of 
form, or gracefulness of carriage, with others belong- 
ing to the typical groups. Its heavy and rounded 
body, its pendant tail, and concave wings, evidently 
shew its situation to be among the species which 
lead immediately to the typical Rasores, and this, af- 
finity is still further strengthened, and confirmed by 
its habits, which closely resemble those of the species 
we have lately been describing. Its habitual resi- 
dence is upon the ground, where it runs with great 
celerity, and it is only during night, or the hours of 
repose, that it perches upon the lower branches and 
limbs of trees.* It makes its nest upon the ground, 
* Mr Bennet asserts, in his description of the splendid 
