This genus was proposed for a peculiarly-coloured Himalayan Pigeon which appears to stand apart from all other Asiatic species. An African form, D. arquatrix, is closely allied and congeneric, and another well-known African bird, Columba guinea, may perhaps be referred to the same genus, though it differs in some characters.
The genus Dendrotreron has a longer tail, a shorter and more feathered tarsus, and broader soles than true Columba, and thus resembles the Tree-Pigeons. The plumage is very different from the latter; there is no metallic gloss on any part of the plumage, the neck-feathers are acuminate, and the neck-patches and tail-bauds of Palumbus are wanting.
The members of the present genus are not fruit-eaters like Alsocomus, but live on berries and seeds. The African bird makes a nest on trees in mountain ravines and is said to lay two eggs.
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