Tip of bill horny and strongly convex forming a “nail” which is often of a shade or color different from that of the soft, contracted, basal portion; covering of nostril generally tumid; toes four, three in front, cleft to the base or with a slight web; hind toe not elevated; legs and toes never much lengthened; tarsus either slightly longer or slightly shorter than middle toe without claw; wing flat and rather long; in several genera the primaries variously cut or attenuated; tail usually square or slightly rounded; never forked; in Macropygia and Geopelia the rectrices are greatly graduated. A few genera are terrestrial, but most of them are more or less arboreal and generally capable of strong, swift, and sustained flight. Their food is largely grain and small seeds; the larger species feed on the fruits of trees, rarely on the leaves. The nest is a slight structure of twigs placed on the ground, in a shrub, or in a tall tree. Eggs one or two, pure white or slightly cream-colored; in shape rather long, equal ended, ovals.
Suborder COLUMBÆ.
Characters same as those given for the Order.
Families.
- a1. Soles very broad; tarsus stout, more or less feathered, and generally shorter than middle toe without claw.
- a2. Soles not greatly expanded on sides of toes; tarsus more slender, unfeathered, and longer than middle toe without claw Peristeridæ (p. [54])
Family TRERONIDÆ.
Soles very broad; tarsus stout, more or less feathered; bill stout or large; gape very wide in some; nostril covering flat or somewhat swollen; tail moderate in length, nearly square; medium to large sized species.
Subfamilies.
- a1. Under tail-coverts long, their tips reaching well beyond toes; size generally smaller; length, 340 mm. or less.
- a2. Under tail-coverts moderate, their tips reaching little if any beyond toes; size generally larger; length, 360 mm. or more Muscadivorinæ (p. [42])