PALUMBUS PULCHRICOLLIS.
Collared Wood Pigeon.

Columba pulchricollis, Hodgs., Blyth, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng. vol. xiv. p. 866.—Gray and Mitch. Gen. of Birds,
vol. iii. App. p. 23, App. to p. 470. vol. ii—Gray, List of Birds in Coll. of Brit. Mus. part ili. p. 9.
Palumbus pulchricollis, Blyth, Cat. of Birds in Mus. Asiat. Soc. Calcutta, p. 233.

 

Mr. Hopeson has done quite right in giving a name to this fine species of Wood Pigeon, differing as it
does from eyery other known. It is nearly allied to the Paluwmbus Elphinstonei, but on the most cursory
glance at the drawings of the two birds, their differences will be very apparent ; the Palumbus pulchricolhs
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 of this bird, but for many other acts
of kindness, particularly in connection with our mutual pursuit, the science of Ornithology.

Head and cheeks very delicate grey, gradually fading mto whitish on the front of the throat; on the lower
part of the neck a conspicuous collar of feathers, 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 tailecoverts 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.

 

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