BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 1 37 



FAM. COLUMBIDyE. 



PIGEONS. 



COLUMBA LEUCOCEPHALA. {Linn.) 

 White-headed Pigeon. 



Local Name. — Pigeon. 



Winter Plumage, Male. — Above, grayish blue, showing shght 

 reflections; crown, pale buff (at some seasons pure white), bordered 

 at the nape by a band of dark purple, and below it a cape extending 

 upon each side of the neck, of metallic green, the feathers bordered 

 with black; quills, dark brown, becoming lighter upon the second- 

 aries ; under parts, grayish blue ; crissum, plumbeous ; tail, dark 

 brown. Sexes similar. 



Length 13.25, wing 6.90, tail 5.50, tarsus .90, bill .70. 



During the winter season the present species is rarely seen, on 

 account of its frequenting the thickly wooded parts of the islands. 

 Occasionally, I saw them in the market at Nassau, but they are by 

 no means common. As soon as the summer season sets in they 

 become gregarious, and repair in immense flocks to the outer keys 

 to breed. Their food consists of berries and small fruits. Incuba- 

 tion commences about May i. 

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