564 SYSTEM A TIC SYNOPSIS. — COL UMB^ — FEUISTEHM. 



ordinary Pigeous, and the anatomy is conformable to a usual type, except that the lining of the 

 gizzard is ossilied. 



4. The large Old World genera Treron and Ptilopus, with which latter another large 

 genuSy Carpophaga, is closely related, are a group of fruit-eating, arboricole species, with a 

 short, stout beak, short, soft, broad-soled and extensively feathered feet, uoruially 14 rectrices, 

 and soft lustreless plumage, of whicli green is the characteristic color. Of such TreronincB or 

 Treronidce, " 54 species are confined to the Austro-Malayan, while 28 inhabit the Indo^ 

 Malayan, subregion : In India 14, and in Africa a species are found ; 30 inhabit the Pacific 

 Islands, and 8 occur in Australia or New Zealand, while New Guinea has 14 species " 

 (Wallace). 



5. There are a large number of Pigeons of both the Old and New World, possessing neither 

 the peculiarities already stated nor those of the Columbince proper, to be presently given. 

 They are the Zenaidince and Phapince of Bonaparte, with more or less lengthened naked tarsi, 

 and of more or less terrestrial habits. They are exemplified by such genera as Chameepelia 

 and Melopelia with 12 rectrices, and Zenaidura with 14, of America; by Lopholcemus with 12, 

 Geopelia. Phlogoenas and Ocypliaps with 14, and Phaps with 16, of the Old World. Nearly 

 all possess the ambiens and oil-gland, without coeca or gall-bladder. Having many points in 

 common, these gi-ound-doves might form a subfamily Zenaidince or Phapime, notwithstanding 

 the peculiarities of certain genera. Such a group would correspond to the two Bonapartian 

 subfamilies just named, and closely with the Phapirus of Garrod. 



6. From the Zenaidince thus composed our genus Starncenas difiers more notably than 

 authors, excepting Garrod, seem to have appreciated. It is a pullet-like ground-pigeon, with 

 long reticulate tarsus, short and somewhat elevated hind toe ; with coeca and without oil-gland 

 or ambiens muscle, the reverse of the rule in Zenaidince as above noted. It can hardly be 

 referred to the totally diflfereut Treroninee on the single circumstance of lacking the ambieus, 

 and must stand alone, in such division of the family as is here sketched, as type of a new sub- 

 family Starnoenadince. 



7- With the remaining Columbidce there is no difficulty, as they form a well character- 

 ized restricted subfamily ColumhintB. The leading genera are the square-tailed Colutnba, of 

 both Worlds ; the round-tailed Turtur of the Old ; the wedge-tailed Macropygia of the Old, 

 matched by the wedge-tailed Eetopistes of the New. The species are arboreal, with short feet, 

 scutellate or partly-feathered tarsi, and 12 tail-feathers; coeca, oU-gland, and ambiens present; 

 gall-bladder absent. 



Of the seven groups thus indicated, three are North American. They may readily be 

 distinguished as follows. 



Analysis of North American Subfamilies of Columbidce. 



Tarsi scutellate, feathered Columbince 



Tarsi scutellate, naked Zenaidina 



Tarsi reticulate, naked Stamaenadina 



48. Subfamily COLUMBiN/E : Typical Pigeons. 



Feet small ; tarsus short, not longer than the lateral toes, scutellate in front, feathered 

 above. Wing pointed, of 10 primaries. Tail variable in shape, of 12 rectrices. Bill typically 

 as described above. Arboreal. (See above for anatomical characters.) 



Analysis of Genera. 

 Tail nearly even, much shorter than the wing, with broad obtuse feathers ....... Columba 192 



Tail long, cuneate, equal to wings, with narrow tapering feathers Eetopistes 193 



192. COIiUM'BA. (Lat. columba, a pigeon.) Bill short and comparatively stout, about half as 

 long as head. Wings pointed, 2d and 3d quills longest. No black spots on scapulars. Lateral 

 toes of about equal lengths, with claws about as long as middle toe without ; hind toe and claw 



