252 
Messrs. A. and E. Newton's Observations 
XXV.— Observations on the Birds of St. Croix , West Indies , 
made } between February 20 th and August Oth 1857 by Alfred 
Newton, and , between March 4 th and September 28 th 1858 
by Edward Newton. (Part III.) 
[Continued from page 150.] 
f 25. Grey Pigeon. Columba corensis, Gmel. C. portori- 
censis, Temm., Pig. pi. 15; d'Orb. Voy. de Pile de Cuba, Ois. 
pi. 27. C. monticola , Vieill. C. imbricata , Wagl. “ Blue Pigeon." 
This fine bird is commonly said to be a visitor from Porto 
Bico, and not to breed in the island; but we are inclined to think 
it occasionally does so. It is not very abundant, and is generally 
seen in small flocks of six or seven. It appears to feed sometimes 
on the blossom of the Mountain-cabbage, and chiefly frequents 
the hills in the north of the island, but now and then may be 
observed in the extensive tract of bush-land on the south side. 
Its flight is very like that of our Wood Pigeon (C. palumbus , L,). 
The bill is bright lake, yellowish-white at the tip of both man¬ 
dibles. The skin round the eye nearly bare and of a dull red, 
with a little fine yellow bloom upon it. The iris is double, the 
inner ring scarlet, the outer and narrower one golden-yellow, 
legs and feet lake, claws dark horn-colour. 
“The manager of the Great Fountain Estate told me that 
many years ago he had a young f Blue Pigeon 3 brought to him 
alive from the nest. It lived with him a long time, and became 
exceedingly familiar, but of course, like all pets, came to an un¬ 
happy end."—A. N. 
“ On April 29th, 1858, I observed some boys looking up into 
a Thibet-tree not a hundred yards from the shore, close to the 
town of Frederiksted; and going to the spot, found they were 
watching a bird of this species which one of them said he had seen 
fly in from the sea that morning. The bird was evidently much 
tired, and remained for two hours in the same place, when, risking 
the displeasure of the Danish authorities, I shot it. It proved 
to be a male, and, though in good condition, had nothing in its 
crop but a few leaves of the Thibet Tree, which it had probably 
plucked off as it sat. I continued to see this species up to the 
time of my departure from the island."—-E. N. 
