624 PIGEON TRIBE. 



Still said to be paired for life. At this time the male is 

 remarkable for his assiduous and affectionate address, 

 rustling with the wings, billing, and cooing, with various 

 gallant evolutions. They commonly quench their thirst 

 at a single draught, at the same time immerging the bill 

 into the water. They have no song, or other note than 

 their plaintive and monotonous coo. Species are found 

 to inhabit all climates, but they are most numerous in 

 warm countries. 



PIGEONS. (CoLUMBA, L.) 



The character of the genus similar with that of the order. 



Subgenus. — Columba. (Temm. JBonap.) 



The bill moderately robust, straight, aad turgid at tip. Tarsus 

 rather short. Wings long and acute ; the 1st primary somewhat 

 shorter than the 2d, which is longest. 



These live in wooded countries, building in trees or hollow trunks, 

 the nest of twigs, leaves, feathers, and similar substances. Flight 

 rapid and sonorous. 



t Tail short and even, consisting of 1^ feathers. 



BAND-TAILED PIGEON. 



(Columba fasciata, Say, Bonap. Am. Orn. i. p. 77. pi. 8. fig. 3. 

 Phil. Museum, No. 4938.) 



Sp. Charact. — Purplish-grey ; a white band behind the head ; tail 

 with a broad blackish bar near the middle ; bill j^ellow, black at 

 tip. 



The male bird, from which the description is taken by 

 the Prince of Musignano, was, it appears, shot in July 

 by Mr. Titian Peale, near a saline spring, on a small 

 tributary of the river Platte, within the first range of the 

 Rocky Mountains ; a second individual, probably the 

 mate, was seen with it. Of its manners nothing is known, 

 though, from the season of the year, it is probable that 

 the pair had commenced incubation in the vicinity. 



