or observed in the Republic of Honduras, i^-c. 227 



same colour as the neck on each shoukler ; tail-feathers darker 

 than wings; legs and feet dark pink. 



66. White-winged Dove. {Zenaida leucoptera.) 

 Abundant ; especially near the Pacific coast, and in the envi- 

 rons of Comayagua. I found this species most plentiful in the 

 vicinity of houses and corn-fields ; the following species seemed 

 to prefer the woods and open plains. Both are very good eating, 

 and I used often to kill two or three at a shot. I found all the 

 Columbidfc most abundant on the Pacific slope, which is drier and 

 more rocky than the Atlantic ; the vegetation moreover is not 

 nearly so dense, and there are fewer Palms, Ferns, and large 

 trees. I observed very few Doves on the Atlantic slope, and 

 hardly any as we approached the sea. 



This species is common in Jamaica (see ' Gosse's Birds of 

 Jamaica ') . The time to shoot Pigeons was the morning and 

 evening; during the heat of the day they keep close under the 

 shade of thick bushes, and will not leave their shelter. I have 

 tried to drive them out with stones, but they would only lly a few 

 yards, and then dive into the thicket again. In the tropics I 

 found that few birds, except Humming-birds, would face the 

 sun, consequently morning and evening, especially the former, 

 was the best time for bird-collecting. To go out in the heat of 

 the day was useless, and a sacrifice of health and strength. 



ai. Sharp-tailed Brown Dove. [Zenaidura carolinensis.) 

 Common, and generally seen in small flocks of six to ten. 

 (See preceding remarks.) 



68. Short-tailed Ground Dove. [Chamapelia rufipennis.) 

 I only saw this species in some open country near Comayagua, 



where they were not very plentiful. 



69. Long-tailed Ground Dove. {Scardafella inca.) 

 Veiy common, and generally seen in pairs. They are good 



eating, but so small as not to be worth shooting for the pot in a 

 country where amnmnition is scarce, and a watch has to be set 

 on its expenditure; they are very beautiful little birds. I am 

 sorry that, with the exception of the last species, I was unable to 

 preserve specimens of the Co/umbidap of Honduras, owing to 

 want of time and bad health. All Pigeons arc difficult to prepare, 



