PALUMBUS PULCHRICOLLIS.
Collared Wood Pig*eon.
Cobmbapulchricollis, Hodgs., Blyth, Joum. Asiat. Soc. Beng. vol. xiv. p. 8 6 6—Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds,
vol. iii. App. p. 23, App. to p. 470. vol. ii.—Gray, List o f Birds in Coll. o f Brit. Mus. part iii. p. 9.
Palumbus pulchricollis, Blyth, Cat. of Birds in Mus. Asiat. Soc. Calcutta, p. 233.
Mr. H o d g s o n has done quite right in giving a name to this f in e species of Wood Pigeon, differing as it
does from every other known. It is nearly allied to the Palumbus Elphinstonei, but on the most cursory
glance at the drawings o f the two birds, their differences will be very apparent; the Palumbus pulchricollis
being the largest, and in every respect a more beautifully marked species ; the neck adorned with a large
nuchal band of buff-tipped feathers, and the head clothed in grey of the most delicate hue.
The Collared Wood Pigeon appears to be strictly confined to the Eastern Himalayas, Nepaul and Sikim,
for it is from those countries only that I have received specimens.
I am indebted to Edward Vernon Harcourt, Esq., not only for skins o f this bird, but for many other acts
o f kindness, particularly in connection with our mutual pursuit, the science o f Ornithology.
Head and cheeks very delicate grey, gradually fading into whitish on the front o f the throat; on the lower
part of thé neck a conspicuous collar of feathèrs, black at the base and largely tipped with glossy buff,
fading into cream-white at the extremity; breast, sides and back of the neck brightly glossed with the
usual changeable green and reddish purple, the former predominating ; upper surface of the body and wing-
coverts very dark ashy brown, with the primaries and tail very dark brown ; abdomen vinous grey, passing
into slate-grey on the flanks ; vent and-under tail-coverts vinous cream-colour; irides yellow; bill red at
the base, yellow at the tip ; feet crimson.
The Plate represents the bird of the natural size.