Fill in the blanks with the help of options that follow :
Before alighting, the Wild Pigeon, like the Carolina Parrot and a few other species (a) ………. (in/for/of/at) birds, breaks the force of its flight by repeated flapping, (b) ………. (so/although/even/as if) apprehensive of receiving injury from coming too suddenly (c) ………… (with/in/inside/at) contact, either with the branch, (d) …………… (or/and/neither/nor) the spot of ground on which it intends to settle.