564 SYSTEM A TIG SYNOPSIS. — COL UMBJE — PEBISTEB^. 



ordinary Pigeons, and the anatomy is conformable to a usual type, except that the lining of the 

 gizzard is ossified. 



4. The large Old World genera Treron and Ptilopus, with which latter another large 

 genus, Curpophaga, is closely related, are a group of fruit-eating, arboricole species, with a 

 short, stout beak, short, soft, broad-soled and extensively feathered feet, normally 14 rectrices, 

 and soft lustreless plumage, f>f whicli green is the characteristic color. Of such Treronince or 

 Treronidfe, " .51' species are confined tcj the Austro-Malayan, while 28 inhabit the Indo- 

 Malayan, subregion : In India 14, and in Africa a species are found; 30 inhabit the Pacific 

 Islands, and 8 occur in Australia or New Zealand, while New Guinea has 14 species " 

 (Wallace). 



5. Th(;re are a large number of Pigeons of both the Old aud New World, possessing neither 

 the peculiarities already stated nor those of the Columhinm proper, to be presently given. 

 They are the Zenaidinoi and Phapinm of Bonaiiarte, with more or less lengthened naked tarsi, 

 and of more or less terrestrial habits. They are exempUfied by such genera as Chamajyelia 

 and Melopelia with 13 rectrices, and Zenaidtira with 14, of America; by Lopholamus with 12, 

 Geopielia. Phlogcenas and Ocyphaps with 14, and Pimps with 16, of the Old World. Nearly 

 aU possess the ambiens and oil-gland, without coeca or gall-bladder. Having many points in 

 common, these ground-doves might fonn a subfamily Zenaidina; or Phapina, notwithstanding 

 the peculiarities of certaiu genera. Such a group would correspond to the two Bonapartian 

 subfamilies just named, and closely with the PhapintB of Garrod. 



6. Prom the Zenaidinm thus composed our genus Starnmnas differs more notably than 

 authors, excepting Garrod, seem to have appreciated. It is a pullet-like gronud-pigeon, wit'i 

 long reticulate tarsus, short and somewhat elevated hind toe ; with coeca and without oil-gland 

 or ambieus muscle, the reverse of the rule in Zenaidinm as above noted. It can hardly be 

 referred to the totally different Treronina on the single circumstance of lacking the ambiens, 

 and must stand alone, in such division of the family as is here sketched, as type of a new sub- 

 family Starnccnadinm. 



7. With the remaining Cohimhida there is no difficulty, as they form a well character- 

 ized restricted subfamily Columbinee. The leading genera are the square-tailed Columha, of 

 both Worlds ; the round-tailed Turtur of the Old ; the wedge-tailed Macropygia of the Old, 

 matched by the wedge-tailed Ectopiates of the New. The species are ai'boreal, with short feet, 

 scutellate or partly-feathered tarsi, and 12 tail-feathers; cceca, oil-gland, and ambiens present; 

 gall-bladder absent. 



Of the seven groups thus indicated, three are North American. They may readily be 

 distinguished as follows. 



Analysis of North American Subfamilies of Columbidce. 



Tarsi scutellate, feathered Columbinm 



Tarsi scutellate, naked Zenaidlnm 



Tarsi reticulate, naked Stamwnad'mce 



48. Subfamiiy COLUMBIN>E : Typical Pigeons. 



Feet small ; tarsus short, not longer than the lateral toes, scutellate in front, feathered 

 above. Wing pointed, of 10 primaries. Tail variable in shape, of 12 rectrices. Bill typically 

 as described above. Arboreal. (See above for anatomical characters.) 



Analysis of Genera. 



Tail nearly even, much shorter than the wiug, with broad obtuse feathers Columba 19J 



r.ail long;, cuneate, equal to wings, with narrow tapering feathers Ectopistes 193 



192. COJjTJM'BA. (Lat. columha, a pigeon.) Bill short and comparatively stout, about half as 

 long as head. Wings pointed, 2d and 3d quills longest. No black spots on scapulars. Lateral 

 to6s of about equal lengths, with claws abi>ut as long as middle toe without ; hind toe and claw 



