Genus ALSOCOMUS. 



The genus Alsocomus is included by Salvadori in the genus Columba, 

 but there are several differences from typical Columba in the group 

 separated by Blanford and placed in the present genus, both structural 

 and in habits, which would seem reasonably to render the division 

 desirable. 



All the species are birds of dark coloration, having a metallic 

 lustre over the greater part of the plumage, formed by iridescent borders 

 to the feathers, varjong in depth and brilliance. Neither wings nor 

 tail have any bars upon them, and the latter is decidedly longer in pro- 

 portion than it is in either Columba or Dendrotreron. In habits the 

 birds of this genus are nearer Paluinhus than Columba, being very 

 arboreal in their habits, and Uke Carpophaga, with which they have 

 sometimes been included, they are to a great extent fruit-eaters. 



The Pigeons of this genus are represented by species extending 

 from India through the Malay Archipelago to Japan and Oceana. 



Within Indian limits we have five species, two of which are very 

 closely allied and possibly should only rank as subspecies, i.e. elphinstonii 

 and torringtoniae. 



Key to the Species. 



A. A patch of black feathers with white tips on either side of 



base of neck : 

 a. Head above and lower-parts grey ... ... A. elphinstonii. 



&. Head above and lower-parts lUac A. torringtoniae. 



B. A collar of black feathers tipped with glossy buii ... A. pulchricollis. 



€. No patch or collar of white or bu£E-tipped feathers : 



c. Upper-parts chestnut-purple A. pfwniceus. 



A. Upper-parts blackish A. palumhoides. 



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