370 BULLETIN 16 2, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



better adapted for breeding ; and, at each visit we paid it, White-headed Pigeons 

 were procured. 



On Jamaica, P. H. Gosse (1847) says: 



This flue dove is common in almost all situations, but chiefly affects the 

 groves of pimento, which generally adorn the mountain pens. The sweet aro- 

 matic berries afford him abundant and delicious food during the pimento sea- 

 son; the umbrageous trees afford him a concealment suited to his shy and 

 suspicious character ; and on them his mate prefers to build her rude platform- 

 nest and rear her tender progeny. 



Dr. Alexander Wetmore (1916) writes: 



The white-crowned pigeon was formerly one of the most abundant species 

 in Porto Rico, but now is found only in a few localities. Gundlach spoke of it 

 as very common in the seventies, but its numbers have undoubtedly greatly 

 decreased. The birds occur mainly near the coast, usually in dense swampy 

 growths, though one was seen near Aibonito ; and the few small areas of forest 

 remaining in the lowlands may account for their diminution in numbers. 

 Around Punta Picua, north of Mameyes, they were found preparing to breed 

 in the swamps, where the growth was so dense that it was hard to get near 

 them. They usually came out into the more open portions late in the evening 

 to feed on the fruit of the icaco (Chrysobalanus sp.), but even then kept well 

 concealed in the thick leaves. 



Courtship. — Audubon (1840) describes its courtship as follows: 



The White-headed Pigeon exhibits little of the pomposity of the common 

 domestic species, in its amorous moments. The male, however, struts before 

 the female with elegance, and the tones of his voice are quite sufficient to per- 

 suade her of the sincerity of his attachment. During calm and clear mornings, 

 when nature appears in all her purity and brightness, the cooing of this 

 Pigeon may be heard at a considerable distance, mingling in full concord with 

 the softer tones of the Zenaida Dove. The bird, standing almost erect, full 

 plumed, and proud of his beauty, emits at first a loud croohoo. as a prelude, and 

 then proceeds to repeat his coo-coo-coo. These sounds are continued during the 

 period of incubation, and are at all times welcome to the ear of the visitor of 

 these remarkable islands. When approached suddenly, it emits a hollow, gut- 

 tural sound, precisely resembling that of the Common Pigeon on such occasions. 



Nesting. — The same gifted author says : 



The nest is placed high or low, according to circumstances; but there are 

 never two on the same tree. I have found it on the top shoots of a cactus, only 

 a few feet from the ground, on the upper branches of a mangrove, or quite low, 

 almost touching the water, and hanging over it. In general the nest resembles 

 that of the Columba migratoria, but it is more compact, and better lined. The 

 outer part is composed of small dry twigs, the inner of fibrous roots and 

 grasses. 



In the Bahamas, according to Dr. Henry Bryant (1861) — 



It breeds in communities, in some places, as at Grassy Kays, Andros Island, 

 in vast numbers ; here the nests were made on the tops of the prickly pear, which 

 cover the whole kay ; at the Biminis and Buena Vista Kay, Ragged Island, on 

 the mangroves ; and at Long Rock, near Exuma, on the stunted bushes. I do 

 not think they ever select a large kay for their breeding place. 



