on the Birds of Si. Croix. 253 



26. White-crowned Pigeon. Patagicmas leucocephalns, 

 Reichenb. Icon. pis. 223, 255. Columba leucocephala, L. ; Bp. Am. 

 Orn. pi. 15. fig. 1 ; Aud. pi. 177. " White-head ;" " Bald-pate." 



Inhabits the same localities as the last species, but is not so 

 common. It is also said of this bird that it migrates from 

 Porto Rico, though it does undoubtedly breed in the island ; as 

 we have a specimen of a young one, shot July 28th, 1858, which 

 could not have left the nest many days. 



An example of this species which had been originally captured 

 in an out-house, where it was supposed it had taken refuge from 

 some bird of prey, lived for two or three years in the possession 

 of our friend Dr. Garden of St. Croix, who kindly permitted 

 us to present it to the Zoological Society of London, in whose 

 gardens it was safely deposited last October, and where it is still 

 thriving. 



1 27. Zenaida Dove. Zenaida amahilis, Bp., Am. Orn. pi. 15. 

 fig. 2. Columba zenaida, Aud. pi. 162. " Mountain Dove." 



This handsome bird is very common, and, besides affording 

 very pretty shooting, has the additional advantage of being 

 excellent eating. Though it is numerous on the hills, as its 

 local name would lead one to expect, it is likewise plentiful in 

 any part sufficiently overgrown with bush. It does not appear 

 to us to be so very terrestrial in its habits as is stated by some 

 writers ; nor have we particularly marked the " peculiar whistling 

 of the wings " mentioned by Mr. Gosse (B, Jam. p. 308) and 

 others. Its flight is remarkably rapid. It breeds from April 

 to the end of July, and builds an ordinary-looking Pigeon's nest 

 — a mere platform of twigs, in a bush or tree at any height from 

 a few feet to twenty. It lays two eggs, which, in this island at 

 least, are perfectly white, and not " of a drab hue," as stated by 

 Mr. Gosse {Ih. p. 310). The young birds are often taken from 

 the nest and brought up without much difficulty. The cooing 

 of this Dove much resembles the noise made by sounding a 

 conch- shell. 



t 28. White-fronted Ground-Dove. Chamapelia trochila, 

 Bp. Consp. Av. ii. p. 77. " Ground-Dove." 



Very common everywhere. It is seen perpetually running 



