They are divided into :— 
PALUMBINA 4a Wood-pigeons. 
CoLUMBIN& ne Rock-pigeons. 
MACROPYGINA rt Long-tailed Doves. 
TURTURINE nN: True Doves. 
Sup-Famity PALUMBINAZA8 (IP ood-pigeons or Cushats) 
Feet suitable both for perching and feeding on the ground. 
These hirds frequent well wooded parts of. the district. 
(782) ALSOCOMUS PUNICENS, Purple IV ood-pigeon. 
(783) Atsocomus Honasoni, Speckled MW cod-pigeon. The former, 
is found more prevaleut at Sukyapokri, the latter species in Sikkim 
about 10,000 feet elevation, also near Torgloo, and in the pine 
forests at Sandakphu, where they are extremely shy and_ soon take 
to fight when observed. Bill of these birds is small and compress- 
ed; wings long ; tail fairly even ; lateral toes uneven ; claws strong- 
er and more curved than the next group—the Cushats. 
The Purple Wood-pigeon, is more likely to be observed in Dar- 
jeeling than the speckled species. Colour generally, is a sort of 
glossed greenish purple, feathers more distinctly margined with pur- 
ple ; dull reddish on neck and sides of the breast; sides of the 
neck bright and glossy, with varying tints in which Amethest purple 
prevails, sides of breast the sane ; head greyish white; wings and 
tail dark ; primaries grey ; underparts of the body feathers much 
paler ; bill tipped yellow ; irides orange red, enclosing amber colour- 
ed inner circle. Size of punicens is 16 inches; wing expanse 24- 
inches. These birds descend to the plains in the cold weather, 
where they are frequently seen in more wooded parts. 
Genus PALuUMbBUS, differs from .flsoconas a good deal. They 
are better known as Cushats, generally biggish sized birds ; tarsus 
is slightly longer and tail shorter ; neck adornments light in colour. 
(784) Pauemecs casioris, Himalayan Cushat, is usually made 
out by its bigger size, beirg about 17 inches im length, extent ot 
wings quite 30 inches, These birds are vare in Darjeeling. They 
