KEY WEST QUAIL- DOVE. 



PARTRIDGE PIGEON. 

 Geotrygon MARTINICA. 



Char. Above, reddish purple, the neck and head with metallic reflec- 

 tions of green ; below, pale vinaceous, fading to white on chin, and to 

 buff on under tail-coverts; white of chin extends below the eyes. Length 

 about II inches. 



Nest. In low branches, sometimes on the ground ; made of light 

 twigs. 



^gg^' 2; white; 1.40 X i.oo. 



This beautiful species, originally discovered in Jamaica, was 

 found by Audubon to be a summer resident on the island of 

 Key West, near the extremity of East Florida; it retires in 

 winter to the island of Cuba. Its flight is low, swift, and 

 protracted, keeping in loose flocks or families of from five or 

 six to a dozen. These dwell chiefly in the tangled thickets, 

 but go out at times to the shore to feed and dust themselves. 

 This bird contracts and spreads out its neck in the usual 

 manner of Pigeons. Its cooing is not so soft or prolonged as 

 that of the Common Dove ; the sound resembles whoe whoe- 

 oh-oh-oh-oh. When surprised, it gives a guttural, gasping 

 sound, somewhat like that of the Common Pigeon in the same 

 circumstances. Quail Doves keep usually near shady secluded 

 ponds in the thickest places, and perch on the low branches 

 of the trees. The nest is formed of light dry twigs, sometimes 



