lO PIGEON TRIBE. 



on the ground, on the large branches of trees, or even on 

 slender twigs. On the 20th of May it will contain two white 

 eggs, almost translucent. In July these pigeons come out of 

 the thickets in flocks of all ages, and frequenting the roads to 

 dust themselves, are then easily procured and considered good 

 food. They feed chiefly on berries and seeds, and particularly 

 the sea-grape. They depart for Cuba or the other West India 

 islands about the middle of October. 



This species is now met with only on Key West and the ex- 

 treme southern islands of Florida, and even there is a rare bird. 



Note. — A specimen of the Ruddy Ou ail-dove (Geofrygoti 

 inontana) was captured on Key W^est in December, 1888,— the 

 first taken within the borders of North America. 



ZENAIDA DOVE. 



ZeXAIDA ZENAIDA. 



Char. Above, olive gray with a red tinge; top of head and under 

 parts purplish red ; neck with metalHc reflections ; a black patch on 

 wing-coverts ; tail with terminal band of black tipped with white. Length 

 about 10 inches. 



Nest. In low bush ; a slight affair of fine twigs. The nests are some- 

 times placed on the sand and concealed by tufts of grass, and these 

 ground-nests are compactly built of leaves and grass. 



Eggs. 2; white; 1.20 X 0.95. 



This beautiful little species inhabits the Keys of Florida, but 

 is rare. Individuals have been found in the neighboring island 

 of Cuba. They keep much on the ground, where they dust 

 themselves and swallow gravel to assist digestion. When rising 

 on the wing, the same whistling noise is heard from the motion 

 of their wings, as is the case ot the common Carolina Turtle 

 Dove. 



