which there is a lack throughout Ceylon o f the extensive cultivated tracts which are necessary to the
existence of this Pigeon.
“ The island off Nilavele is a mass o f rock, its coast-line consisting of enormous boulders, and its summit
divided by large crevices into huge ‘ humps ’ o f stone, on which, as well as on the surrounding masses,
the Pigeons perch in scores. They fly across to the mainland in the early morning, and make their
incursions over the adjoining paddy-fields, returning about noon to their stronghold, where, though they are
difficult to approach, when not feeding they seem to evince little fear, owing probably to their being
crammed with food. On the occasion of a visit to this spot with a friend we shot numbers, but did not
succeed in driving away the flock; for they flew round and round over the water, and speedily realighted on
the rock. About 3 o’clock they start off again to the mainland, flying very strongly; and they may be met
with almost everywhere along the adjoining sea-board during the afternoon. I have seen two or three at
times feeding on the salt flats around the Nilavele lake; but what they were picking up I do not know.
They are very destructive to the paddy, and devour an enormous quantity at a time, extending their crops
with it to such an extent, that I have taken a moderately sized salt-cellar full from a specimen I was
skinning.”
The principal figure in the Plate represents the species o f the natural size, and is drawn from a specimen
in my own collection.
[R. B. S.]