140 BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 



ing ashy on the sides ; under wing-coverts and quills showing red- 

 dish broivn, the latter margined and tipped with dark brown ; mid- 

 dle tail-feathers like the back, the others dark brown ; two outer 

 feathers tipped with white ; upper surface of wing showing large 

 spots of bluish-purple ; bill and feet yellowish, the former becom- 

 ing dark at the tip. 



Length 6.30, wing 3.30, tail 2.60, tarsus .50, bill .50. 



This graceful little Dove is a resident, and very abundant every- 

 where. While walking through a pineapple plantation, I have been 

 astonished at the quantity of these birds which were constantly ffying 

 about. They are very tame, and often allowed me to approach 

 within a few feet of them without showing any signs of alarm. Their 

 food consists of seeds and many kinds of small berries. I have often 

 watched them dusting themselves in the warm sand of the road, 

 after the manner of our farm-yard fowls, seeming to enjoy it greatly. 

 Incubation commences about May 15. A nest taken at the Mira- 

 porvos. May 27, contained two eggs, which were quite fresh. It was 

 simply a little mat of grass, loosely put together, placed upon the 

 ground in an open space, concealed only by short marsh-grass, barely 

 high enough to hide the bird when sitting upon the nest. The 

 COO'S are white. 



'&&- 



Fig. Aud. Bds. N. A., Vol. V. pi. 283. 



