HODGSON'S IMPERIAL PIGEON 103 



hours shooting which resulted in the gathering in of thirty-two of these 

 birds, besides a few other Green Pigeon. I have said above that Hodgson's 

 Imperial Pigeon is less quarrelsome than most of the family, but at the 

 same time it should be noted that it is very exceptional to find other 

 Pigeon feeding in the same trees with it, so that it looks as if they stood 

 rather in awe of these big relations. Although, however, I have never 

 seen the smaller members of the Pigeon-tribe feeding in the same tree 

 with Hodgson's bird, the Barbets, Hombills, and other fruit-eaters seem 

 to stand in no fear of them and wiU be found feeding in security, often 

 on the same branch. 



The flight of Hodgson's Pigeon is much lilic that of the Green Imperial 

 Pigeon, rather stately and regular, with slow beats of the wing, yet 

 travelling at a very great pace, and when frightened, dashing along in 

 splendid style. When startled out of a tree, or when rising higher into 

 the air, the wings often clash over their backs, making a clapping noise 

 almost as loud as that made by a tame Tiunbler Pigeon when performing 

 his somersaults. 



Jerdon has remarked on the curious fact of Ducula cuprea being in 

 the habit of visiting " salt-hcks." This habit, however, seems common 

 to all the Imperial Pigeon and, to a less extent, to aU the other members 

 of the family. Often and often, when visiting such places to pick up the 

 tracks of big game, or when sitting up over one to watch for tiger or 

 leopard, I have seen both this bird and the last fly down to the salt-Uck 

 and walk about thereon, picking up scraps of the earth from time to time, 

 or drinking the brackish water and mud that oozed up from the ground. 

 They walk well and at a good pace, though not as actively as the Doves 

 and true Wood-Pigeons. 



