158 NESTS AND EGGS OP 



various keys east of Florida, which are covered with grass and low 

 shrubs, placing the nest between tufts of grass or on the ground with 

 little concealment. It is built of dry leaves and grass imbedded in a 

 hollow scooped in the sand. It is said to be more compact than the nest 

 of any other pigeon. The eggs are one or two in number, white, with a 

 very smooth surface; size, 1.19X.94. 



/ 318. Engyptila albifrons (Bonap.) [463.] 



'White-fronted Dove. 



Hab. Valley of the Lower Rio Grande in Texas, southward through Mexico to Guatemala. 



Mr. George B. Sennett added this Dove as a new species to the 

 fauna of the United States in 1877 ; the first specimens being taken in 

 the vicinity of Hidalgo, on the Rio Grande in Texas. Dr. Merrill 

 notes it as not rare in the vicinity of Fort Brown, being shy and not 

 very often seen. Mr. Sennett states that in its general habits this bird 

 is quiet and not easily alarmed ; it frequents the high branches of tall 

 trees, associating with the white-winged dove and is less numerous 

 than the red-billed pigeon. By its peculiar note — a low, short cooing 

 — it is easily distinguished from all other species. A nest was found 

 situated in the forks of bushes, about five feet from the ground, was 

 flat and quite large for a pigeon's nest, and composed of the dead 

 branches, twigs and bark of pithy weeds. 



Dr. Merrill found a nest on June 8, 1878, which was about seven 

 feet from the ground, supported by the dense interlacing tendrils of a 

 hanging vine, growing on the edge of a thicket. This nest contained 

 two eggs which were quite fresh; sizes i.i6x.86 and 1.19X.89, re- 

 spectively. These are described as a strong olive-buflf color. Mr. 

 Sennett describes them as of a light drab, or light olive drab, and gives 

 the measurements of four specimens as follows: 1.14X.89, i.i2x.88, 

 1.16X.83, 1.15X.85; averaging 1. 14 X. 86. 



319. Melopelia leucoptera (Linn). [464. J 



"White-\p-inged Dove. 



Hab. Southern border of the United States (Texas to Arizona) and Lower California, southward 

 to Costa Rica and the West Indies. 



Dr. James C. Merrill mentions this as a very common species dur- 

 ing the summer months in the vicinity of Fort Brown, Texas. The 

 nests, he states, are, " as a rule, smaller and more frail than those of the 

 Carolina dove, and the eggs have a decided creamy tinge, which is 

 rarely lost after blowing, at least not for months. Thirty-four eggs 

 average 1.17X.88; extremes 1.30X.95 and 1.05 x. 80. The note is a 

 deep sonorous coo^ frequently repeated and heaid at a great distance." 



At Lomita Ranch on the Rio Grande, in Texas, Mr. Sennett found 



