608 



U. S. p. R. K. EXP. AND SURVEYS — ZOOLOGY — GENERAL REPORT. 



I am not aware whether there is any difference between the sexes of this species. It has been 

 referred by Audubon to the Golumha montana, L., but this appears to differ in lacking the white 

 bridle along the cheeks, &c. 



List of specimens. 



STARNOENAS, Bonaparte. 



Starnocnas, Bonaparte, Geog. & Comp. List, 1838. Type Columfm cyanocephala, L. 



Ch. — Bill sliort ; culinen about one-tliird the rest of head measured from the frontal feathers. Legs very stout and large ; tarei 

 bare on the entire tibial joint, and covered with hexagonal scales, largest anteriorly ; it is longer than the middle toe and claw. 

 Inner lateral claw the larger ; reaching the base of the middle claw ; all the claws short, thick, and blunt. Hind toe and claw 

 short, half the middle do.; wings short, broad, and concave; much rounded. Tail short, broad, nearly even, but slightly vaulted. 



The single species of dove, composing the genus, in many respects resembles the partridges 

 or quails, both in external appearance and ia manners. 



STAKNOENAS CYANOCEPHALA, Bon. 



Blue-headed Pigeon. 



Columba cyanocephala, Link. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 283. — Gmelin, Syst. I, 1788, 778.— Wagler, Syst. Avium, 1827, 



Columba, No. 112.— AuD. Cm. Biog. II, 1834, 441 : V, 1839, 557 ; pi. 172. 

 Slarnoenas cyanocephala, Bonap. List, 1838. — Ib. Consp. II, 1854, 69.— Aun. Syn. 1839, 193. — Ib. Birds Amer. V, 



1842, 23 ; pi. 284.— Gondlach, Cab. Journ. IV, 1856, 108. 

 Sternoenas cyanocephala, Reichenbacii, Systema Av. 1851, p. xxv, pi. xxiii. — Ib. Iconcs Av. tab. 260 and 266. 

 Geophilus? cyanocephala, Sklby, Pigeons, Jard. Nat Lib. V, 21G, pi. xxvii. 

 Columba (Lophyrus) cyanocephala, Nuttall, Man. I, 2d. ed. 1840, 769. 

 Columba tclraoides, (.ScopoLi,) Gmelin, I, 772. 

 Bltie-heailed turtle, Lai ham, Syn. II, ii, G51. 



Sp. Ch. — Bill blue, the fleshy j)art at the base carmine. Iris brown, scales effect carmine, the interspaces white. Above and 

 on sides glossy dark olivaceous chocohite; beneath brownish red, liglitcr centrally. Chin and throat black, with a narrow 

 border of while below. A white line begins in the chin and passes under the eye to the occiput. Sides of head above this and 

 forehead black ; crown blue. Length, 10.70 ; wing, 5.40 ; tail, 4.35. 



llab. — West India Islands; occasionally at Key West, Florida, and other southern keys. 



The axillars and under surface of the wings are like the belly. The crissum is most like the 

 back. The outer tail feathers have a bluish tinge above. 



The liind toe in this species is not strictly in the same plane with the others, but placed a 

 little above their point of insertion. 



