Car.) 
are more frequently observed at 12,000 feet elevation and over, in 
north Sikkim, on higher ranges, also beyond Jongri and near the 
snows, where they are found when building their nests in spring in 
pine forests. Himalayan Cushats are gregarious, more so, in the 
breeding season, when they collect in fairly big numbers. They 
build on, inaccessible places usually. Eggs as might be expected 
are white. Though the shell is fine, the surface is pitted over with 
minute pores similar to game-birds’ eggs. The nest is loosely put 
together consisting of sticks and twigs, usually on a fir branch, when 
found at that elevation. Colour of this Cushat is brownish grey ; 
sides of the neck and shoulders glossed with green and purple; on 
side of the neck is a large, typical patch of light chesnut colour ; on 
the wings it has a white bar lengthways; primary coverts black ; 
tail tipped black, having a broad pale band ; lower parts of the bird 
are reddish purple ; feet like most of the wood-pigeons are red ;_ bill 
tipped with orange. 
(785) PALUMBUS PULCHRICOLLIS, Darjeeling Wood-Pigeon, is 
somewhat rare here, though in the earlier days of Darjeeling, before 
the wanton destruction of trees, this bird could be met without 
much difficulty, especially during winter. Like all the Cushats, it 
perfers a high altitude. It is about 134 inches in size. Predomi- 
nating colour is dusky grey ; sides of the neck glossed with green and 
purple ; tail blackish ; lower plumage is dove-grey ; breast bright, 
glossy green and purple; bill tipped with yellow ; irides yellow ; 
legs reddish. 
Sup-FamMIty COLUMBIN/E. 
2R0CK-PIGEONS differ a good deal from Palumbus. Tarsi are long 
and feet suitable for perching and progression on the ground. These 
are the blue stock-pigeons, which have given us our domesticated 
birds. Species likely to be met with in the district are intermedia 
(788) at alow elevation and Jeuconota: but these are rare and 
found chiefly in out-of-the-way places. 
(790) CotumBa LEucONOTA, /Vhite-bellied Rock-pigeon. 1 don’t 
think it will be seen much below 12,000 feet elevation, as it is 
usually found near the snows, where these birds rest in big numbers, 
congregate on boulders, and precipitous heights, beyond Joneri. 
The remaining species of Rock-pigeons are found chiefly in the 
plains. 
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