SOLITARY PIGEON 159 
It is usually seen with its mate, for many indivi- 
duals seem to pair for life; but sometimes a dozen 
or twenty individuals unite in one flock. It is resident, 
comes a great deal about houses, and is familiar with 
man, and lively in its habits. It sings a great deal in 
summer and even on warm days in winter; but its 
tones are wanting in the wild pathos which gives a 
charm to the melody of some of our larger species, 
the song consisting of a succession of long, rather 
loud, and somewhat monotonous notes, pleasant to 
hear, like most bird-music, but nothing more. 
The nest is the usual slight structure of sticks ; the 
eggs two, oval, and white. They breed twice, and 
sometimes three times, in one season, the last brood 
being hatched as late as April or even May. 
SOLITARY PIGEON 
Engyptila chalcauchenia 
Above greyish brown, head and nape plumbeous; back of neck 
with the feathers edged with iridescent bronzy green; tail blackish, 
broadly tipped with white; central rectrices like the back; beneath 
pale vinaceous ; middle of throat, belly, and crissum white; under 
surface of wings bright chestnut; bill black, feet yellowish; length 
10, wing 5.7 inches. Female similar. 
Tuts Dove, which is a southern form of a widely 
distributed group of species of the genus Engyptila, 
formerly called Leptoptila, inhabits the woods of the 
Plata district, and never, like other Pigeons, seeks 
the open country to feed. It is solitary, although, 
where many birds live in close proximity, three or 
