BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 1 39 



This beautiful Dove is found throughout the Bahamas, but does 

 not appear to be very abundant. It seems to be rather soHtary in 

 its habits, and is never met with in flocks. The nest is composed 

 of small sticks, loosely put together. On May 27 I procured a nest 

 which was placed in the crotch of a fallen tree about three feet from 

 the ground. It contained two white eggs. 



Dr. Bryant says, " It never collects in flocks, not breeding in 

 communities like the C. leucocephala. In its habits it is intermediate 

 between the Z. carolinensis and the C. passcriiia. It feeds and 

 passes the principal part of its time on the ground, and when 

 flushed, flies off in a straight line, very much as the common quail. 

 The crops of those killed by me were filled with small seed about 

 the size of mustard-seed, apparently all of the same kind. All the 

 nests I saw were made in holes in the rocks, and consisted, as is 

 always the case in this family, of but a few sticks. It probably 

 migrates farther south during the winter, as it was much more 

 abundant in May than at any jjrevious time." 



Fig. Aud. Bds. N. A.. Vol. V. pi. 28 1. 



CHAM^PELIA PASSERINA. {Linn) 

 Ground Dove. 



Local ATame. — Tobacco Dove. 



Winter Plumage, Male. — Above, grayish olive, showing a bluish 

 tinge upon the nape and crown ; under parts, reddish purple, becom- 



