244 ZKNAIDA AMABILIS. 



then further north, when surprised in an open fiekl, they will dart upward into air and will 

 not rest contented until they have put considerable distance between themselves and the 

 object of their annoyance. These Doves are more or less gregarious, breaking up into pairs,, 

 however, during the breeding season, at which time they have a peculiarly loud cry con- 

 sisting of two notes given in a minor tone, and when heard in the wilderness, it has a sin- 

 gularly mournful effect, especially in coming from a distance, when it somewhat resembles- 

 one of the plaintive moans of the puma. When rising from the ground, the wings of this 

 species produce a whistling sound which is quite noticeable. 



The Carolina Doves breed late in June, placing the nests in bushes in secluded local- 

 ities. The young appear in due time but do not leave the nest until late in August, when 

 they accompany their parents and are fed by them after the manner of all Pigeons, by re- 

 gurgitation. These birds are migratory and although they may occasionally bo seen as 

 far norrli as Massachusetts, the greater portion spend the winter south of this point. 



GENUS II. ZENAIDA. THE SHORT-TAILED DOVES. 



Gen. Cii. Bill, rather short. Tail, rounded and short, not equaling the winys ivhkh are moderately long. Tarsus, 

 not lonij. 



Members of this genus have the tail noticeably short. The colors are reddish with no conspicuous markings. There 

 has been but one species taken within our limits. 



ZENAIDA AMABILIS. 

 Zenaida Dove. 



Zenaida amabilis Box. , List; 1838. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Sp. Cn. Form, slonder. Size, not large. Tail, short and rounded. Wings, very long. Tarsus, moderately short 

 and stout. Sexes, quite similar in color. 



Color. Adult. Abive, yellowish-red, overwashed with ashy and becoming purplish on the top of head. Wings, 

 dark-brown, with the secondaries tipped with white, and the greater coverts are like the back, but are overwashed with 

 bluish. Inner tail feathers, like the b:io'i,lmt the remainder are bluish, tipped with lighter which becomes nearly white on 

 the outer wl'Ijs and there is a suhterminiil banil of black. Cancealel spots on wing c ivcrts, black, but tlie.-;ebeci:me more 

 Tisihls i.n sca|)ularies. Under wing coverts, sides, and flanks, bluish-ash. Remaining lower portions, side< of head and 

 neck, light redilish-hrown, becoming lighter on chin, throat, and abdomen, and fading into hluish-gray on the under tail 

 coverts. There is a .small lilack spot, glossed with bluish, behind eye and a larger one cn side of neck, and the sides o) 

 neck are iridescent with a purplish luster, having greenish reflections. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



This species may be readily known by the short tail, white tippings to secondaries, and colorsas described. Found by 

 Audulxm, only, on (he Florida Keys; resident in the Bahamas and West Indies. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of specimens from the West Indies. Length, lO'OO; stretch, 17-75; wing, 550; tail, 435; bill, 

 ■58; tarsu.s, 'iJ^. Longest specimen, ir50; greatest e.'ctent of wing, 18- 10; longest wing, 600; tail, 4-70; bill, "60; tarsua, 

 •!)5. Shortest specimen, 10-40; smallest extent of wing, 17-50, shortest wing, S'OO; tail, 4-00; bill, -55; tarsus, -DO. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



Nests, placed on the ground or in trees or bushes and when in the two latter named situations, they are compose 1 of 

 sticks, carelessly arranged; when on the ground but little material is used. 



Kiju^, one or two in number, varying from elliptical to oval in form, and pure white in color, with the surface vei-jr 

 smooth. Dimensions from 100 x 1-20 to 105 x ToO. 



