(28) COLUMBA LEUCONOTA Vigors. 
THE SNOW-PIGEON. 
(PuatE 14.) 
Columba leuconota Vigors, P.Z.8. 1831, p. 23; Gould, Cen. Him. B., pl. 59; 
Blyth, J.A.S.B., XIV p. 864; id., Cat. B.M.A.S.B., p. 234; Jerdon, 
B.I., III p. 471; Stoliczka, J.A.S.B., XXXVII pt. 2, p. 66; Blanf., 
ib., XLI pt. 2 p. 70; Hume and Hen., Lah. to Yark., p. 274; Brookes, 
Str. Feath., III p. 256; Hume, ib., VIII pp. 110 and 340; id., Cat. no. 
790; Salvadori, Cat. B.M., XXI p.249; Blanf., Avi. Brit. I., IV p. 32; 
Sharpe, Hand-List, I p. 68; Finn., J.B.N.H.S., XIV p. 577; Fulton, 
ib., XVI p. 60; Ward, ib., XVII p. 943; Perreau, ib., XIX p. 919; 
Bailey, ib., XXI p. 182; Magrath, ib., p. 1312. 
Vernacular Names. Bujul, Chamba; Lho-peu-rintiep, Lepcha, 
Bya-den, Bhot. 
Description.—Adult male. Whole head and neck very dark slaty- 
grey, darkest on the nape and practically black where it adjoins a white 
nuchal collar. In turn this white collar gradually changes into a light brown 
on the upper-back, scapulars, and the innermost lesser wing-coverts and 
secondaries. Lower-back white; rump and upper tail-coverts black; tail 
slaty-black at base, followed by a broad white band across the middle, and 
broadly tipped black, this black band narrower on the outermost tail-feathers. 
Wings grey, with three visible broad bands of brown running across the 
median and greater coverts and the secondaries ; a fourth band, concealed 
by the tips of the overlying feathers, on the bases of the innermost median 
coverts. Primaries grey, browner at the tips, and with a very narrow edge 
of silver-grey on the outer webs when these feathers are fresh and in perfect 
condition ; outer secondaries grey at the base and brown on their terminal 
halves ; all quill-shafts dark brown. 
Below, breast pure white, changing to pale dove-grey on the posterior 
flanks and abdomen; under-tail-coverts very pale dove-grey ; under aspect 
of the wing the same, with the edges of the shoulders a darker grey. 
Colours of soft parts. Bill black; irides golden-yellow; legs and feet 
bright scarlet-red, the soles paler, and the claws black; “mouth bright 
fleshy-red ” (Hume). 
Measurements. Length 12.5 in. to 13.5 in. (= 317.5 to 342.7 mm.); 
wing 8.5 in. to 9.6 in. ( = 215.9 to 243.8 mm.) ; tail about 5 in. (127 mm) ; 
tarsus 1.2 in. ( = 30.4 mm.) ; bill from gape about 1 in. ( = 25.4 mm.) and 
at front about .65 in. (16.5 mm.). 
“ Weight 10 oz.” (Hume). 
Adult female. I cannot see that there is any constant difference between 
the sexes, but Salvadori says that the grey colour of the back and wings 
in the female is somewhat duller. 
Colours of soft parts. As in the male. 
Measurements. With the exception that the female is a more slender 
built and lighter bird, the measurements are the same as in the male. 
