SUBFAMILIES. 
When we come to consider the subfamilies into which our Indian 
Pigeons are divided, we find that the only difference between the classi- 
fication of Salvadori and Blanford, is that the former adds two sub- 
families, ie. the Macropygiinae and Turturinae. The first subfamily 
Salvadori gives as one of his family Columbidae, and the latter as a sub- 
family of his family Peristeridae, whereas Blanford unites both in one 
subfamily Columbinae. This shows well how very artificial the distinc- 
tions are upon which naturalists rely in dividing Pigeons into families and 
subfamilies, for the genus Macropygia is far more closely allied in habits, 
plumage, shape, and everything else to the Doves than to the Pigeons. 
As Blanford says, “‘ Even the subfamilies of the Pigeons and Doves 
are founded on distinctions, several of which are not usually regarded 
as more than generic. It is rather in deference to the usual practice 
than from conviction of their real existence that some of the following 
subfamilies are adopted.” 
For the sportsman and the field-naturalist, the divisions adopted 
by Blanford are very convenient, and there is no scientific reason 
against their adoption, even if in every case there is no very scientific 
reason in their favour. I therefore follow Blanford, and accept his 
six subfamilies, as given in the fourth volume of the Avifawna of 
British India. 
Key to the Subfamilies. 
A. Tail of fourteen feathers : 
a. No ambiens muscle present : 
a’ Oil-gland present se cae Sor aa Treroninae. 
b’ Oil-gland absent ... oi dee 56 = Geopeliinae. 
6. Ambiens muscle present sie Soe aa ... Carpophaginae. 
B. Tail of twelve feathers : 
c. Ambiens and oil-gland present ; no caeca : 
ce’ Tarsus longer than middle toe ... 0¢ ... Calaenadinae. 
d’ Tarsus moderate See ies ccs oes Phabinae. 
d. Ambiens, oil-gland, and caeca present ac ee Columbinae. 
The above scientific key, relying as it does almost entirely on 
anatomic characteristics, may present some difficulties to the sportsman, 
B 2 
