G. E. Verrill — Fauna of the Island of Dominica. 323 



Order, COLUMB^. 



Family, Columbid^. 



13. Columba COrensis Gmel. "Ramier," Pat. and Fr. (Riugclove). "Black 

 Ramier," Pat. 



Common in the heavy woods in the interior and among the moun- 

 tains. Very arboreal. Mr. Obev states that it " never touches the 

 earth " ; whether this be so or not we never observed it except while 

 in the trees or on the wing. Feeds on the fruit and seeds of certain 

 trees, particularly the gommier tree. Being excellent eating it is 

 much hunted for food during the open season, and hence is very 

 shy and hard to shoot. Its loud cooing, resembling that of the do- 

 mestic pigeon, but much louder, may be heard for a long distance, 

 but even when one has carefully followed it up and stands beneath 

 the very tree where the bird is, it is extremely difficult to actually 

 see it. 



Sexes alike. Iris yellow flecked with red, skin around the eyes 

 orange, legs and feet dull coral red, bill red at the base and yellow 

 or horn-color at the tip. 5 16^-9-6-24 ; 16f-8^-6i-26^. 



13. Columba leUCOCephala Linn. "White-headed Ramier," Pat. 

 Rare, When first told of this bird by the native hunters I was 



inclined to think they were mistaken, as I did not then know of its 

 having ever been recorded from this or any of the adjacent islands, 

 but they were very positive and described it well, but stated that it 

 was very rare though found in the same localities and in company 

 with the common "Ramier." While at Bass-en-ville, however, I, 

 myself, saw several specimens on the wing, the white head showing 

 very plainly. Though in spite of every endeavor we were unable 

 to procure any. I do not think there is any doubt about its identity, 

 and am still in hopes of having one or more sent to me, at no dis- 

 tant date, by our friends in Dominica. 



This species is also recorded by Dr. L'Herminier from Guadeloupe 

 and Martinique, the islands adjacent to Dominica, and lying respec- 

 tively north and south of it. Mr. Ober records it from Antigua and 

 Barbuda, but no further south. 



14. Zenaida martinicana Bonap. "Tourterelle," Pat. and Fr. (Turtledove). 

 Abundant, but shy and retiring. Found principally near the coast, 



apparently not reaching to any great altitude. Like the "Ramier" 

 and " Perdrix " it is much hunted as a game bird and, like the latter, 

 is often kept in captivity. 



Trans. Conn. Acau., Vol. VIII. 43 April, 1892. 



