252 PERISTERID&. 
differences. Our series of skins from Jamaica is not, however, large enough for us to 
judge of the value of Mr. Chapman’s diagnosis, but the different colour of the bill, 
taken from the notes of Mr. W. D. Scott, appears to us to be a character of doubtful 
value. With regard to the lighter plumage, which would warrant the separation of 
C. pallescens as a distinct form, our series proves that there is no geographical area to 
which the light or dark birds can be restricted, and even the Florida specimens can be 
matched by others from Mexico, the grey of the head and the vinous colour of the 
throat varying greatly in the series. 
The description of C. passerina was doubtless taken from Catesby just as much as 
from Sloane, both of whose figures are quoted by Linneus; and in the face of so much 
uncertainty, we think it better to follow Salvadori in his nomenclature. 
This little Ground-Dove is common throughout the greater part of Central America, 
and is said by Sumichrast to be abundant in Mexico; we also found it to be both 
plentiful and resident in Guatemala, nesting near Dueias in the Opuntia-plantations. 
The species is also common in Costa Rica’? and in Nicaragua 2%, especially about the 
roads and cattle-paths and in the neighbourhood of dwellings. It lives almost entirely 
on the ground and feeds on seeds and grain. The nest is built of twigs and grass, 
and is a substantial structure for so small a Pigeon; it is usually placed in a bush or 
hanging creeper, and only occasionally on the ground. 
2. Chamepelia socorroensis. 
Chamepelia pallescens (nec Baird), Grayson, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. xiv. p. 300*; Lawr. Mem. Bost. 
Soc. N. H. ii. p. 305 (part.) *. . 
Columbigallina passerina socorroensis, Ridgw. Man. N. Amer. Birds, p.586°; op. cit. 2nd ed. 1896, 
p. 591‘; Anthony, Auk, xv. p. 316’. 
Chamepelia socorroensis, Sharpe, Hand-l. Birds, i. p. 81°. 
C. passerine similis, sed saturate umbrino-brunnea, gastreo colore vinaceo saturatiore, subcaudalibus et 
hypochondriis imis saturate brunneis, dorso concoloribus, et vix dilutius terminatis, distinguenda. 
Long. tota circa 5°8, ale 3:3, caudw 2-2, culm. 0-55, tarsi 0°7. (Descr. maris adulti ex Socorro I. 
Mus. nostr.) 
Hab. Revtwaaicepo Is., Socorro I. (Grayson}?, Anthony *). 
When compared with a series of C. passerina, the Socorro bird is at once to be 
distinguished by its very dark colour; but in this respect it is somewhat approached 
by a specimen in our collection from San José in Costa Rica (Carmiot). 
3. Chamepelia minuta. 
Columba minuta, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 285+; Temm. & Knip, Pig. i. (3) p. 28, t. 16°. 
Chamepelia minuta, Salvad. Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxi. p. 481°. 
Chamepelia amazilia, Bp. Consp. Av. p. 78 ‘; Scl. & Salv. P. Z. 8. 1864, p. 370’. 
Chamepelia granatina, Lawr. (nec Bp.), Aun. Lyc. N.Y. vit. p. 333°. 
Supra brunnea, vix grisescens ; tectricibus alarum pallidioribus, scapularibus et secundariis intimis metallice 
purpureo irregulariter notatis ; ala spuria, tectricibus primariorum remigibusque nigris, his intus castaneis ; 
