378 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Mr. G. C. Taylor (Ibis, 1860) found this bird abundant in Central America, 

 especially on the Pacific coast and in the environs of Comayagua. He adds 

 that he found this species most plentiful in the vicinity of houses and corn- 

 fields, while the Z. carolinensis seem to prefer the woods and open plains. 

 Both were easily shot, and were found to be excellent eating. 



Mr. Dresser found this species very common near Matamoras and Browns- 

 ville, and as far into the interior of Texas as Sal Colorado, after which it 

 becomes rare, and he never saw any farther east or north than the Eio Nueces. 

 It is not uncommon at Eagle Pass, where he saw many in cages in the huts 

 of the Mexicans. Their stomachs were found to contain maize and cater- 

 pillars. 



Mr. Xantus, in his notes upon the birds of Cape St. Lucas, mentions find- 

 ing several of the nests and eggs of this Dove. All the nests mentioned 

 contained two eggs. One was in the fork of a leafless tree, about ten feet 

 from the ground ; another was about six feet high and placed on a small 

 dwarf-oak ; and a third, found May 20, was in a thorn-bush, about ten feet 

 from the ground. In one instance a single egg, already incubated, was found 

 on the top of a large cactus trunk, but without any indication of a nest. 



The eggs of this species are oval in shape, white, of equ^l size at either 

 end, and measure 1.35 inches by .92. 



Genus ZENAIDA, Bonap. 



Zenaida, Bonaparte, Geog. & Comp. List, 1838. (Ty-pe, Columha zenaida, Bp.) 



Gen. Char. Bill black ; the culmen about two fifths the rest of the head. Tarsi a 

 little shorter than the middle toe and claw, but considerably longer than the lateral toes. 

 Tarsus with broad scutellae anteriorly, those on the lower half bifid, making two hexago- 

 nal series. Inner lateral toe a little the longer. Hind toe and claw as long as the inner 

 lateral without claw. Wings lengthened ; second and third quills longest. Tail short, 

 about two fifths the wings, rounded or a little graduated. Orbits feathered, especially 

 anterior to the eye ; the lids bare. 



But one species of this genus belongs to our fauna, and this is probably 

 but an occasional visitor. 



