TRERONIN^. 445 



The Green Pigeons are a well marked division, all having a 

 marked physiognomy by which they can be recognised at a glance. 

 They are of tolerably stout and massive form, and of a dull leaf- 

 greeu colour, more or less varied with ashy and maronne above, 

 with yellow on the wings, and with orange or buff beneath. The 

 eyes of most are very beautiful, being blue with a red outer circle. 



They are more or less gregarious according to the species. 

 When hunting for fruit, they are continually gliding about the 

 branches, like squirrels ; and, from tlieir strong feet, they can 

 hang over to seize a fruit, and recover their position at once by 

 the strong muscles of their legs. When perfectly quiet, they are 

 very difficult to observe, from the similarity of their tints to that 

 of leaves. They nidificate on trees, making a loose nest of twigs, 

 and laying two white eggs. A few are found in Africa and 

 Madagascar, but the majority are denizens of India and Malay ana, 

 not extending as far as Australia, but one species, at least, occurring 

 as high north as Japan, although they appear to be rare in China. 

 They all afford excellent eating, but the skin is very tough and 

 thick, and ought to be removed. 



Several divisions have been of late formed among the Green 

 Pigeons, which were all formerly included under VinagOf Cuvier, 

 Tveron of Yicillot. 



Gen. Treron, Vieillot (as now restricted.) 



Syn. Toria, Hodgson — postea Nomeris. 



Char. — Bill very strong and deep ; eyes surrounded by a 

 nude space. 



This genus, as at present limited, of which we have only one 

 species in India, and that a doubtful member, is distinguished 

 from all the others by its very strong bill, the horny portion 

 of which is continued back to beyond the feathers of the 

 forehead. 



771. Treron NipalensiS; Hodgson. 



Toria, apud Hodgson, As. Pes. XIX. 164— Plyth, Cat. 1381 

 (in part) — Thoria (i. e., quasi rostrata), of the Nipalese. 



