508 SCRATCfflNG BIRDS — RASORES. 



Columba flavirostris, Wagler. 



THE EEB DOVE. 



Columha flavtrostrh, 'Wagler, Isis, 1831, 519. — Lawiience, Ann. N. Y. Lye. V.May, 



1851, 116. — Dresser, Ibis, 1866, 23. — Baird, Birds N. Amcr. 1858, 598; pi. 61. In. 



U. S. Mex. Bound. V. 21 ; pi. 23. — Chloraims Jlavirostiis, Bonaparte, Consp. Av. II. 



1854, 52. 

 ? Columha soUtana, McCall, I'r. A. N. Sc. Phil. III. July, 1847, 233. Eio Grande, Texas. 



Description referring' probably to the female of this species. 



Sr. CnAR. Second and third quills equal, and decidedly loncjer than the first and 

 fourth, also nearly equal. Tail truncate, slightly roiuidcd. Head and neck all round, 

 breast, and a larijo patch on the middle and lesser wing coverts, light chocolate-red, the 



latter deeper and more opaque-red ; the middle of the back, scapulars, and tcrtials, olive ; 

 the rest of body, wings, and tail very dark slaty-blue ; the inferior and concealed surfaces 

 of the latter black. Bill and legs yellow in the dried skin, said to be purple in life ; eyes 

 purple. Length, 14.00 ; wing, 8.00 ; tail, 5.70. 



Huh. Lower Rio Grande and Korthern Sonora. Cape St. Lucas ; south to Costa 

 Rica. 



There is no trace of any metallic scale-like feathers on the neck of this 

 species. The wing feathers, including the greater coverts, are whitish on 

 their external border. There is a tinge of the red on the inside of the 

 wing. 



This beautiful pigeon is about the size of the common passenger pigeon, 

 although without the long graduated tail of the latter species. It is com- 

 mon in the Eio Grande of Texas, and extends across to the Gulf of Califor- 

 nia, and has been taken so near to the southern boundary of Arizona, as to 

 render it quite certain that it must cross it at times. Little is known of its 

 haliits, save that it is quite solitary, keeping in pairs or alone, usually near 

 the water. 



