150 



North American Birds Eggs. 



317. Zenaida Dove. Zenaida zcnaida. 



Range.— West Indies; in summer, on the Fldrida Keys, hut not in <,M'rat num- 

 bers. 



This species is similar in size to the Mourning Dove, but it has a short anti 

 square tail, and the secondaries are tipped with white, au'i the unth'rparts more 

 ruddy. Thev generally nest upon the ground, but occasionally in small bushes, 

 laying two white eggs a trifle larger than those of the precetling species. Size 

 l.L'O X .90. The nests are made of grasses and twigs, on the ground under bushes. 



3 18. White-fronted Dove. Lcjifatihi iiiJrin ntrU hrdclijuilcra. 



Kange. — Mexico and Central America north to southern Texas. 



Slightly larger than the last, much paler below, with no black ear mark as in 

 the two preceding species, anil with the loreheati whitish. They build their 

 nests of sticks, grasses and weeds, and place them in tangleil vines and thickets 

 a few feet from the grounil. Their two eggs, which are laid in May and June, 

 have a creamy white or buffy color. Size 1.15 x .S5. They cannot be called a 

 common species within our borders. 



3 19. White-winged Dove. Mihipilix h Kroptrrd. 



Range. — Central America, Mexii'O and the southwestern border of the United 

 States. 



This species is 12 inches in length, has a black patch 

 on the ear coverts, white tips to the greater and lesser 

 coverts and some of the secondaries, and broad white 

 tips to the outer tail feathers, which are black. This 

 species is very abundant in some localities within our 

 borders. Their nests are very frail platforms of twigs 

 placed in trees or bushes or precariously suspended 

 among tangled vines. Their two eggs are white or 

 creamv white, and measure 1.15 x .85. 

 [Whlte.J 



320. Ground Dove, ('oluinbigallina passcrlna terrestris. 



Range. — South Atlantic and Gulf States to eastern Texas. 



The Ground Doves are the smallest of the family, measuring but about 6.5 

 inches in length. Their nesting habits and eggs are exactly like those of the 

 next to be describeil. They are very abundant, especially along the South At- 

 lantic coast. 



320a. Mexican Ground Dove. (\tlniahitjnlH ixt p(tss(riitii>i jiallrscrns. 



Range.— Border of the United States from Texas to southern 

 California and southwaril. 



This paler sub-species builds a nest of twigs and weeds, 

 placing the tiat structure either in low bushes or on the 

 ground. Their two white eggs are laid during April to July, 

 they sometimes rearing two broods a season. Size of eggs, 



l\\ hite.J 



320b. Bermuda Ground Dove. CoUi inb'KjdUind jj^sstriiKi f>i nintlidiid. 



Range. — Bermuda. Smaller antl paler than the last; otherwise the same in 

 nesting habits and eggs. 



