Subfamily GEOPELIINAE. 



The family Geopeliinae contains, according to Salvadori, three 

 genera, but two of these are decidedly atypical, having twelve tail- 

 feathers, whereas the first genus, Geopelia, has fourteen. 



The birds of this subfamily have no ambiens muscle or caeca, in 

 these respects agreeing with the Green Pigeons : but it has no oil-gland, 

 differing in this both from the Doves and the Green Pigeons. 



The bill is small, tail long and well graduated as in Macropygia, 

 and the general form is that of a Turtur. 



The legs are devoid of feathering on the tarsi, which are rather 

 long, and the feet and toes are built for running about on the ground. 



The only genus represented in India is Geopelia. 



Genus GEOPELIA. 



This genus contains five species, of which but one is represented 

 in India, Geopelia striata. 



This httle bird is in all its external characters, as well as in its 

 voice, habits, etc., very closely allied to the true Doves, and it is well 

 placed by Blanford after the Barred Cuckoo-Doves, with which it has 

 many external characters in common. 



It is a small bird with partly barred plumage. The first quiU is 

 greatly attenuated over the terminal third, and the third quiU is longest, 

 the wing itseK being short and well rounded. The sexes are alike. 



