222 THE FOOD OF BIRDS IN INDIA. 



peas. One Long green fruit (1 " and stalk 1 "). B. N. H. S. J. 

 XII, 690. 



1315. Geopelia striata. Chiefly on seeds on ground. F. I. 

 IV, 52. 



From an economic standpoint for India we may conclude that 

 the Columbidce are of no beneficial importance whatever. They cer- 

 tainly afford some sort of natural food supply as practically every 

 species is very good for food. But few species are habitually used 

 for that purpose. Most of them are fruit or seed eaters and there- 

 fore are not beneficial from the food standpoint, though it must also 

 be added that few do any harm to crops. 



The fruit eating pigeons seem to confine their attention* entirely 

 or almost entirely to wild fruits, such as figs, some at times attack 

 grapes (but I doubt if this reference applies to India) nut-megs, 

 and some possibly take plantains. 



Of other pigeons and doves few can really be regarded as im- 

 portant. The Indian Blue Rock-pigeon (Colimba intermedia] and the 

 Eastern Stock-pigeon (C. eversmanni) are the most notorious grain 

 pests, and the Eastern Wood-pigeon is also said to take corn. 



Doves have already been noted as likely to be pests if occurring 

 in any great numbers, but they may be generally regarded as of no 

 importance, in India, and in some other countries would be regarded 

 as beneficial, seeing that the greater part of their food is obtained by 

 gleaning in the fields after the crops are off the land. 



' The pigeons are all used as articles of food, and are prized 

 by the natives of India, who consider them specially stimulating 

 and nourishing. The most highly appreciated by Europeans are 

 the Green pigeons." (Watt). 



PTEROCLETES. 



Ptewletes. Sand-grouse. Feed on seeds. A. LeM., 55. Sand- 

 grouse live on hard seeds. F. I. IV, 54. They feed almost entirely 

 on hard seeds. Jerd. B. I. Ill, 495. Seeds, tender shoots, bulbous 

 grass-roots, and insects, or even of berries, peas and beans. F, T. 

 C, N. H,, 323, 



