Subfamily CARPOPHAGINAE. 



This subfamily contains a number of very large Pigeons which 

 closely approach the Green Pigeons in their habits generally, but in their 

 anatomy are nearer the Coluwbinae. Like the Treroninae they have no 

 caeca, but unlike that subfamily and like the Columbinae they possess 

 both ambiens muscle and an oil-gland. They are essentially arboreal 

 Pigeons, but are not such constant or such powerful climbers as are the 

 smaller Green Pigeon. They are all birds of great size, bigger than the 

 common Pigeon, and are generally known as " Imperial Pigeon " amongst 

 sportsmen and field-naturalists. 



According to Blanford's classification the subfamily contains three 

 genera and six species, but in the present work, whilst admitting the three 

 genera, I reduce three of the species to the rank of subspecies, i.e. 

 Carpophaga insularis, and Ducula griseicapilla and D. cuprea. 



Key to the Genera. 



A. Head, neck and lower-parts grey : 



a. Mantle green with metallic-green or bronze ... ... Carpophaga. 



b. Mantle not green and with no metal lie -green gloss ... IhtcvJa. 



B. Whole plumage black and white ... ... Myristicivora. 



