154 INDIAN PIGEONS AND DOVES 



of skins, said that it never came lower than some peaks of about 

 9,000 ft., which formed the usual snow-Une from December to March. 

 They reported the bird as very common above this range wherever 

 there was no forest and the hill-tops were bleak and rugged. 



Throughout its range it is entirely a Rock-Pigeon in its habits, 

 and only very severe stress of weather will drive it into forested coxmtry. 

 It collects in very large flocks, haunting the faces of steep cliffs, 

 precipitous hiU-sides, and rocky ravines, and is said, generally speaking, 

 to be a less shy bird than most Pigeons, and not difficult, if the groiuid 

 be possible, to get within easy shot of. Bailey, however, in his record 

 of the game shot at Gyantse during the years 1906-9, notes only eight 

 Snow-Pigeons as having been shot, though during the same period 

 no less than three hundred and seventy one Rock-Pigeons were brought 

 to bag. This however may have been because the bird is rare close 

 to Gyantse though common further away in Chambi. 



It is sometimes trapped in Nepal and sent down to Calcutta for 

 sale, and although a bird of such cold climates in its wild state, stands 

 heat in captivity very well. 



Its note has been described as the usual " purring coo " of the 

 Common Rock-Pigeon, but Finn says : " As its note had apparently 

 not been recorded, I may mention that it is not a coo, but a repeated 

 croak, not unlike a hiccough, and," he continues, " much as the bird 

 sometimes resembles the domestic Pigeon, I have never seen it sweep 

 the ground with its tail when courting, but rather raise it." 



Its flight resembles that of the Common Rock-Pigeon, and a flock 

 of these Pigeons sweeping down a hill-side with the sun glistening on 

 them is said to be a wonderful sight. 



It is a berry and grain, rather than a fruit eater, but there is very 

 little on record about its food. 



Where the two birds' habitat overlaps, both this and the Rock- 

 Pigeon {Columba rupestris) may be seen consorting together in the 

 same flock. 



