THE BIRD BOOK 



321. Inca Dove. Scardafella inca. 



Range. — Mexican border of the United States 

 south to Central America and Lower California. 



This handsome species is about the size of 

 the last, but its tail is longer and graduated, 

 consequently its length is 

 greater, it being about 8 

 inches long. It is not an 

 uncommon species along 

 our Mexican border, but is 

 not nearly as abundant as 

 is the Ground Dove. It is 

 often called "Scaled Dove" White 



because af the blackish edges of nearly all its 

 feathers. They build fairly compact nests of 

 twigs, rootlets and weeds, these being placed 

 in bushes at a low elevation. They are two in 

 number and pure white. Size. 85 x .65. 



[322.] Key West Quail Dove. 

 Geotrygon chrysia. 

 Range. — West Indies, rarely found at Key 

 West, although supposed to have been common 

 there in Audubon's time. This species is of 

 about the size of the Mourning Dove, has rusty 

 colored upper parts, and is whitish below, the 

 white below the eye being separated from that of the throat by a stripe of dusky 

 from the base of the bill. They nest in trees, laying two bully white eggs. 

 Size 1.15 x. 90. 



Ground E 



[322.1.] Ruddy Quail Dove. Geotrygon montana. 



Range. — Central America, north to eastern Mexico and the West Indies; once 

 taken at Key West. This species is similar to the last but has no white streak 

 under the eye, and the underparts are huffy. Eggs, creamy white. Size 

 1.15 x. 90. 



[323.] Blue-headed Quail Dove. Starnoenas cyanocephala. 



Range. — Cuba, accidentally straying to Key West, but not in recent years. 



It is a beautiful species, with a bright blue crown, black throat and stripe 

 through the eye, separated by a white line under the eye. The rest of the 

 plumage is of a brownish or rusty color. Eggs buffy white. Size 1.30 x 1.05. 



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