SPOTTED DOVE 157 
SPOTTED DOVE 
Zenaida maculata 
Above pale brown; nape plumbeous; outer wing-coverts and 
scapularies with a few black spots; wings dark grey, with fine 
white margins; tail plumbeous, broadly ended with white, and 
crossed by a subapical black band; middle rectrices like the back ; 
beneath pale vinaceous, brighter on the breast, and whiter on the 
throat ; bill black, feet yellow; length 9, wing 5.5 inches. Female 
similar, 
THIs is the commonest species of the Pigeon tribe 
in the Argentine country, and is known to everyone 
as the Torcasa, probably a corruption of Tortola 
(Turtle-Dove). In autumn they often congregate in 
very large flocks, and are sometimes observed migrat- 
ing, flock succeeding flock, all travelling in a northerly 
direction, and continuing to pass for several conse- 
cutive days. But these autumnal migrations are not 
witnessed every year, nor have I seen any return 
migration in spring; while the usual autumn and 
winter movements are very irregular, and apparently 
depend altogether on the supply of food. When the 
giant thistle has covered the plains in summer in- 
credible numbers of Torcasas appear later in theseason, 
and usually spend the winter on the plains, congregat- 
ing every evening in countless myriads wherever there 
are trees enough to afford a suitable roosting-place. 
On bright warm days in August, the sweet and 
sorrowful sob-like song of this Dove, composed of 
five notes, is heard from every grove—a pleasing, soft, 
murmuring sound, which causes one to experience by 
anticipation the languid summer feeling in his veins. 
