CROWNED GOURA PIGEON. 
227 
the female. Temminck conjectures, from this pe- 
culiar noise, that its tracheal artery or windpipe may 
probably bear some affinity or resemblance to that 
of some of the Cracidse, in which this organ is great- 
ly lengthened, and makes certain convolutions before 
it enters the lungs. We regret that no opportunity 
of examining the internal structure of this interest- 
ing bird has offered itself, nor can we find any ob- 
servations made by others, which have reference to 
this part of its anatomy. By the Dutch it is fre- 
quently brought to Europe from their East Indian 
possessions, but being of a delicate constitution, and 
impatient of cold, it seldom long survives in the hu- 
mid and comparatively chill temperature of Holland. 
In consequence, all attempts to propagate or render 
it available in the poultry-yard have hitherto failed, 
which is greatly to be regretted, not more on account 
of its external beauty, than for its excellent flavour 
as a wholesome and nutritious food. 
In size it exceeds all the other Columbine species, 
being from twenty-seven to twenty-eight inches in 
extreme length. The bill, which is two inches long, 
is black ; the tips of the mandibles thickened, and 
that of the upper one moderately deflected. The 
head is adorned with a large, elevated, semicircular 
and compressed crest, composed of narrow straight 
feathers, furnished with disunited silky barbules, and 
always carried erect. This, as well as the head, the 
neck, and all the inferior parts of the body, are aof 
pure greyish-blue colour. The back, the scapulars,. 
