Gzenus ALSOCOMUS. 
The genus Alsocomus is included by Salvadori in the genus Columba, 
but there are several differences from typical Columba in the group 
separated by Blanford and placed in the present genus, both structural 
and in habits, which would seem reasonably to render the division 
desirable. 
All the species are birds of dark coloration, having a metallic 
lustre over the greater part of the plumage, formed by iridescent borders 
to the feathers, varying in depth and brilliance. Neither wings nor 
tail have any bars upon them, and the latter is decidedly longer in pro- 
portion than it is in either Columba or Dendrotreron. In habits the 
birds of this genus are nearer Palumbus than Columba, being very 
arboreal in their habits, and like Carpophaga, with which they have 
sometimes been included, they are to a great extent fruit-eaters. 
The Pigeons of this genus are represented by species extending 
from India through the Malay Archipelago to Japan and Oceana. 
Within Indian limits we have five species, two of which are very 
closely allied and possibly should only rank as subspecies, i.e. elphinstonii 
and torringtoniae. 
Key to the Species. 
A. A patch of black feathers with white tips on either side of 
base of neck : 
a. Head above and lower-parts grey oc ob A. elphinstonit. 
b. Head above and lower-parts lilac S06 06 A. torringtoniae. 
B. A collar of black feathers tipped with glossy buff... A. pulchricollis. 
C. No patch or collar of white or buff-tipped feathers : 
c. Upper-parts chestnut-purple ce oes Set A, puniceus. 
d. Upper-parts blackish ee we ws sas A. palumboides. 
mM 2 
