geon is .generally .a difficult bird to procure; but notwithstanding, it is 
much sought after on account of its excellent flesh, and frequently falls to 
the planter’s gun. It is entirely a fruit eating species, and feeds more 
on the wild cinnamon fruit than any other kind; on this it gorges Itself to 
such an extent that I have found its crop burst wide open with the shock of 
falling to the ground; when thus satiated it is not so wathhful as usual, 
and may sometimes be approached without the crackling of a twig or noise of 
leaves crhshed under foot frightening it off. 
It comes very early to roost, and I found that it resorted to the same 
trees night after night, coming home from its forest wanderings about 4 pm, 
and settling down either in, or somewhere near, its intended roosting place. 
It then commences its "coo", which is a fine deep note, but not so guttural 
or resounding as that of the Imperial Pigeon/ now and then moving about a- 
mong the adjacent trees, but not flying away to any distance. By waiting 
in such places it may be more easily shot than in any other manner. 
About 10 o’clock in the morning, after feeding, I have found it resting 
under branches of moderately sized trees in the Newera Ellia district, but 
as a rule it selects the loftiest branches to perch on. Its flight is very 
strong and swift, and it takes a good shat to bring it down as it darts out 
of sane lofty tree in its forest haunts. 
Kelaart says that "it flies high and in long sweeps". In common 1th 
other pigeons it drinks in the morning; and have found it at mountain stre¬ 
ams as late as n pm. Mr Bligh "informs me that it is unusual to find many 
together while feeding, but I imagine this depends on the quantity of fruit 
there may be on'any given tree; he tells me he once saw thirty or forty on 
a large tree in the Dambenterme gorge, but never observed so many together 
on any other occasion. 
MID I PI CATION 
I was never fortunate enough to find this pigeon’s nest, nor to obtain 
much Information from niv friends in'the r>em + r»oi _ 
font from the ground". 
