BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 137 
FAM. COLUMBID-~. 
PIGEONS. 
COLUMBA LEUCOCEPHALA. (fun) 
WHITE-HEADED PIGEON. 
Local Name.— Pigeon. 
Winter Plumage, Male.— Above, grayish blue, showing slight 
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 .go, bill .7o. 
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 1. 
18 
