PIGEONS. 



255 



pigeons. The first primary of the birds of this genus is distinguished by possessing a 

 deep notch in the inner web. 



We now come to Treron, including the green-pigeons. This is a well-marked 

 division, containing a goodly number of species, of plump form, clothed in a green 

 plumage varied with ash and maroon, with considerable yellow on the wings, and 

 orange hues on lower part of body. The genus has been divided into many genera 



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 FIG. 122. ^4Zec<rcenas pulcherrima. 



or sub-genera, but it will be quite sufficient to consider such species as shall be noticed 

 under the genus above given. These bh'ds go in flocks, and are stated to be contin- 

 ually climbing about the branches, when searching for fruits, like squirrels, and the 

 strong muscles of the legs enable them to hang over and seize a fruit and then recover 

 their position without difficulty. They are good for food, but have a tough skin 

 They are found in India and Malasia, Africa, Japan, Madagascar, China, etc. We 

 have only space to notice one or two. T. phcenicopterus (placed sometimes in a genus 

 Crocopus), is found over all Bengal and upper India, eastward into Assam. It breeds 



