252 



ZANAIDA DOVE. 



Notes on iiABiig; 



The Zanaida Dove is an exceedingly common species on the Bahamas, excepting in 

 the immediate neighborhood of settlements. Tliey are particularly ibnd of the small, 

 outlying keys, and very small islets will frequently form the home of two or tliree pairs. 

 The Zanaida Dove is not at all gregarious in habit, and I do not remL'ml)er seeing m(jre 

 than two together anywhere, in fact, after the breeding season, it is quite usual to find 

 solitary individuals in tlie thickets. Tliis Dove lives most of the time on the gi-ouml and 

 often, according to report, breeds there. On May 11, 1884, as I was standing on a little 



B B B B B B B B 



A B C D E 



Fig. 47. Illustrating the inferior larynx of the Bahama and Caj'inan Zaniada Doves A, B, C, Bahama, 

 D, E, Cayman, a, hollow in trachea ; s, sterno trachealis ; p, broncho trachealis ; M, vibrating membrane ; 

 B, bronchial tubes ; T, trachea, in all figures. 



sand spit on the Avest side of Galden Key, a Least Tern l)egan tiA-ingover agrass\- patch 

 near, vittering its shrill cry. This started a Zanaida Dove from her nest. She rose wit'a a 

 fluttering flight and Hew to the shore, then afterwards ran along the rocks. I went to the 

 place from which she started and found the nest on the ground in open sight. There 

 were two eggs in an advanced stage of inculiation. These were deposited on a few sticks 

 which were laid on the sand. The bird made no outcry as she I'ose. 



The notes of this bird Avhich 1 have described above are very loud and on a still morn- 

 ing can be heard for a long distance. The males begin to coo Avith tlie first indication of 

 the dawn, and Ijcgin to fly about some time befoi'e sunrise. They also coo at sunset and 

 continue to utter their mournful notes until darkness fairl\' begins. 



Chamaepelia bahamensis. 

 Bahama Ground Dove, 



DESCRIPTION. 



Sp. Ch. Similar in form and general coloration to the Ground Dove but somewhat smaller and paler ; 

 the color on the lower parts and on the wings above being much less ruddy and the top of the head is more 



