148 



North American Birds Eggs. 



312. Band-tailed Pigeon. Columlxt fasrioto. 



Hanm'.— The l\ocky Mountains and westward to 

 ( 'i)luinl>ia 



the raeitic, from British 



>uth to Mexico. 



[White. I 



This hirge speeies may be generally recognized 

 l>y the white crescent on the nape; it is about 15 

 inches in length. They nest abundantly on the 

 mountain ranges, sometimes in large tiocks, and 

 again, only a few pairs together. Their nests are 

 rude platforms of sticks anil twigs either in bushes 

 or in large trees in heavily woodtjtl districts. The 

 two eggs which are laid during May or June are 

 pure white in color, antl like those of all the 

 pigeons, etiuallv rounded at each end. Size 

 1.55 X 1.10. 



3 I 2a. Viosca Pigeon, (hlumlxi kixciata rioxai'. 



Range. — Southern Lower California. This is a paler variety of the preceding 

 species and is not noticealily different in its habits, nesting or eggs. 



3 13. Red-billed Pigeon. (\)hiiiih(t llarirostris. 



Range. — Mexico and Central America, north to southern Texas, Arizona and 

 New Mexico. 



This species, characterized by its red bill, purplish colored head, neck and 

 breast and absence of iridescent markings, is abundant in the valley of the 

 Lower Rio Grande, where they Imild their frail nests in thickets and low bushes, 

 and during May and June lay their white eggs. Size of eggs, 1.55 x 1.10. 



314. White-crowned Pigeon. Columba leucorrphald. 



Range. — Resident in the West Indies; in summer, found on the Florida Keys. 

 This species, which can be identitied by its white crown, nests in trees or man- 

 groves on certain of the Florida Keys, laying its two white eggs on its rude 

 platform of sticks and twigs. Size of eggs, 1.40 x 1.05. Nests in April and 

 May. 



[314.1] Scaled Pigeon. Columba squainosci. 



A West IniUan species, a single specimen of which was taken at Key West, 

 Florida. 



A dark colored species, with purplish head, neck and breast: name! from the 

 scaly appearance of the iridescent feathers on the sides of the neck. 



3 15. Passenger Pigeon; Wild Pigeon. Erioimtes migratoriiis. 



Range.— Formerly, North America east of the Rockies; now, casually seen in 

 the upper Mississippi Valley. 



A handsome species with rich ruddy underparts, 

 grayish upperparts and a long graduated tail. 

 This species, years ago, found in tiocks of thous- 

 ands or millions, is now practically exterminated, 

 chiefly by being hunted and trapped. A few pairs 

 probably now nest in the interior, from northern 

 United States to Hudson Bay. Their nests are 

 very rude, frail platforms of twigs, on which two 

 white eggs are laid, they being longer and narrow- 

 er, comparatively, than those of other species. 

 Size of eggs, 1.50 x 1.02. Data. — Southwest shore 

 of Lake Manitoba, June 1, l.S'Jl. Nest of twigs in | White. 



an aspen tree. Collector, Joe Flamay. 



