AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Genus OSMOTRERON

The Green Pigeons belonging to the present genus scarcely differ from Crocopus, except in having the sexes conspicuously distinct in Coloration, and the first three primaries much less attenuated.

The habits of all these Pigeons closely resemble those of Crocopus. They are found in flocks, are fruit-eaters, and always perch on trees, rarely if ever descending to the ground. They have a peculiar, rather melodious whistle. Their flight is rapid, and they are generally wary birds, but when feeding on a favourite fruit they are easily approached and shot. The breeding habits, eggs, and nests are identical with those of other Green Pigeons.

The genus is found in a great part of the Oriental region and in. some of the Austro-Malayan islands. Seven species out of the 17 known have been obtained within Indian limits.

Key to the Species.

a. Middle tail-feathers green; mantle of males maroon.
a1. Tibial plumes buff or yellowish; head and neck of male green or grey, not red.
a2. Lower tail-coverts cinnamon or whitish.
a3. Forehead and crown grey,
a4. Grey nape distinct from green hind neck………………………O. phayrei, p. 8.
b4. Grey of crown passing into green on the nape………………………O. affinis, p. 8.
b3. Forehead yellow ………………………O. pompadora, p. 9.
b2. Lower tail-coverts dark green, with yellowish tips ………………………O. chloroptera, p. 10.
b1. Tibial plumes bright yellow; head and neck of male cinnamon-red………………………O. fulvicollis, p. 10.
b. Middle tail-feathers slaty grey; mantle not maroon in either sex.
c1. Outer tail-feathers with a grey tip exceed- ing 0.5 in length………………………O. bicincta, p. 11.
d1. Outer tail-feathers with a narrow grey tip………………………O. vernans, p. 13.

BookTitle: 
The Fauna Of British India, Including Ceylon And Burma-birds
Reference: 
Blanford, William Thomas, ed. The Fauna of British India: Including Ceylon and Burma. Vol. 4. 1898.
Title in Book: 
Genus OSMOTRERON
Book Author: 
William Thomas Blanford
Year: 
1898
Page No: 
7
M_ID: 
5432
M_SN: 
Treron
Volume: 
Vol. 4
Term name: 
id: 
1796

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