366 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



measurement of their eggs, as given by Mr. Audubon, is 1.31 inches in length 

 by 1.06 in breadth. Eggs in my cabinet from Cuba measure 1.40 by 1.03 

 inches. They are of a pure but not a brilliant white color, equal at either 

 end and oval in shape. 



Columba flavirostris, Wagler. 



RED-BILLED DOVE. 



Columba flavirostris, Wagler, Isis, 1831, 519. — Lawrence, Annals N. Y. Lye. "V. May, 

 1851, 116. — Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 598, pi. Ixi. — Ib. Mex. B. II, Birds 21, 

 pi. xxiii. — Cooper, Orn. Cal. I, 1870, 508. Chlorcenas flavirostris, Bonap. Consp. 

 Av. II, 1854, 52. — Reichenb. Handb. 61. .? Columba solitaria, McCall, Pr. A. N. 

 Sc. Phila. Ill, July, 1847, 233 (Rio Grande, Texas. Description referring probably 

 to this species). 



Sp. Char. Second and third quills equal, and decidedly longer than the first and 

 fourth, also nearly equal. Tail truncate, slightly rounded. Head and neck all round, 

 breast, and a large patch on the middle and lesser wing-coverts, light chocolate-red, the 

 latter deeper and more opaque red ; the middle of the back, scapulars, and tertials olive ; 

 the rest of body, wings, and tail very dark slaty-blue ; the inferior and concealed surfaces of 

 the latter black. Bill and legs yellow in the dried skin, said to be purple in life ; eyes 

 purple. Length, 14.00 ; wing, 8.00 ; tail, 5.70. 



Hab. Lower Rio Grande, and Mexico, south to Costa Rica. Oaxaca (Scl. 1859, 391) ; 

 Cordova, 1856, 309) ; Honduras (Taylor, Ibis, II, 226 ; Salv. Ibis, III, 355) ; City of 

 Mexico (Scl. P. Z. S. 1864, 178) ; Southeastern Texas, breeding (Dresser, Ibis, 1866, 23) ; 

 Costa Ric^ (Lawr. IX, 134). 



There is no trace of any metallic scale-like feathers on the neck of this 

 species. The wing-feathers, including the greater coverts, are whitish on 

 their external border. There is sometimes a tinge of the red on the inside 

 of the wing. 



The C. inornata of Jamaica (see synopsis) is wonderfully similar, except 

 in the form and color of the bill ; the plumage of the two does not differ in 

 the minutest particular. The West Indian bird is much the larger, however, 

 the bill black, and very differently shaped. 



The Columba solitaria of McCall appears to be closely related to this 

 species, but, judging from the description, seems to differ in having the 

 head and neck bluish rather than red. It may possibly be the female of C. 

 flavirostris, as this sex usuallv has a bluish tinge instead of red ; the smaller 

 size, too, would favor this supposition.^ 



1 Columba solitaria, McCall, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phila. Ill, July, 1847, 233. "Length, 13 inches 

 9 lines, etc. Alar extent, 23 inches. "Wing, from the flexure, 7 inches 5 lines. Tarsus, 1 inch ; 

 middle toe, 1 inch 2 lines ; first toe, 9 lines, and longer than the third ; nails light flesh-color ; 

 feet and legs deep red. Iris dark orange. Bill above, 1 inch 1 line, but feathered to within 5 

 lines of the tip ; reddish near the base, whitish near the tip. Head chocolate-blue. Throat 

 chocolate-white. Neck and breast bluish-chocolate with brilliant reflections. Back, belly, 

 flanks, under wing-coverts, and greater exterior wing-coverts, light red color, the last faintly 



