PIGEONS. 



255 



pigeons. The first primary of the birds of this genus is distinguished by possessing a 

 deep notch in the inner web. 



We now come to Treron, including the green-pigeons. This is a well-marked 

 division, containing a goodly number of species, of plump form, clothed in a green 

 plumage varied with ash and maroon, with considerable yellow on the wings, and 

 orange hues on lower part of body. The genus has been divided into many genera 



FIG. 122. Alectromas pulcherrima. 



or sub-genera, but it will be quite sufficient to consider such species as shall be noticed 

 under the genus above given. These birds go in flocks, and are stated to be contin- 

 ually climbing about the branches, when searching for fruits, like squirrels, and the 

 strong muscles of the legs enable them to hang over and seize a fruit and then recover 

 their position without difficulty. They are good for food, but have a tough skin 

 They are found in India and Malasia, Africa, Japan, Madagascar, China, etc. We 

 have only space to notice one or two. T. pliwiiicopterus (placed sometimes in a genus 

 Crocopus), is found over all Bengal and upper India, eastward into Assam. It breeds 



