HODGSON’S IMPERIAL PIGEON 103 
hours shooting which resulted in the gathering in of thirty-two of these 
birds, besides a few other Green Pigeon. I have said above that Hodgson’s 
Imperial Pigeon is less quarrelsome than most of the family, but at the 
same time it should be noted that it is very exceptional to find other 
Pigeon feeding in the same trees with it, so that it looks as if they stood 
rather in awe of these big relations. Although, however, I have never 
seen the smaller members of the Pigeon-tribe feeding in the same tree 
with Hodgson’s bird, the Barbets, Hornbills, and other fruit-eaters seem 
to stand in no fear of them and will be found feeding in security, often 
on the same branch. 
The flight of Hodgson’s Pigeon is much like that of the Green Imperial 
Pigeon, rather stately and regular, with slow beats of the wing, yet 
travelling at a very great pace, and when frightened, dashing along in 
splendid style. When startled out of a tree, or when rising higher into 
the air, the wings often clash over their backs, making a clapping noise 
almost as loud as that made by a tame Tumbler Pigeon when performing 
his somersaults. 
Jerdon has remarked on the curious fact of Ducula cuprea being in 
the habit of visiting “ salt-licks.” This habit, however, seems common 
to all the Imperial Pigeon and, to a less extent, to all the other members 
of the family. Often and often, when visiting such places to pick up the 
tracks of big game, or when sitting up over one to watch for tiger or 
leopard, I have seen both this bird and the last fly down to the salt-lick 
and walk about thereon, picking up scraps of the earth from time to time, 
or drinking the brackish water and mud that oozed up from the ground. 
They walk well and at a good pace, though not as actively as the Doves 
and true Wood-Pigeons. 
