160 COLUMBID^ COLUMBA 



Genus. I. COLUMBA, 



Type. 

 Columba, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 279 (1766) C. livia. 



Bill somewhat long and slender, the soft basal part swollen 

 above the nostrils which are linear and horizontal ; wings pointed, 

 the 1st primary always longer than the 6th ; tail of 12 feathers, of 

 moderate length, usually about two thirds the length of the wing ; 

 tarsus with the lower half at least, bare, shorter than the middle 

 toe ; the soles of the toes (except that of the hind one) not so 

 expanded as in the case of the previous genus. 



FIG. 50. Left foot of Columba phceonota. 



The plumage is some shade of grey and some of the neck feathers 

 are slightly acuminate. 



This genus, containing the Eock Pigeons and their allies, is 

 widely spread, being found throughout the World. Of some ten 

 African species only two are found within our area. 



Key of the Species. 



A. Larger, wing over 9 inches ; breast spotted with 



white; bill yellow ....................... ................. C. arquatrix p. 163. 



B. Smaller, wing under 9 inches ; breast unspotted ; 



bill black ....... . ................................... . ....... C. phceonota p. 160 



631. Columba phaeonota. Speckled Pigeon. 



Columba guinea, Gmel. Syst. Nat. i, p. 774 (1788) [in part] ; Layard, 

 B. S. Afr. p. 256 (1867) ; Barratt, Ibis, 1876, p. 208 ; Oakley, Tran*. 

 S.A. Phil. Soc. ii, p. 49 (1881) ; Fleck, Journ. Ornitli. 1894, p. 388. 



Le Eamicr Roussard, Levaill, Ois. cVAfr. vi, p. 70, pi. 265 (1808). 



Columba guineensis, Burchell, Travels,!, p. 501, ii, p. 257 (1822-4). 



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