﻿VENEZUELAN ORNITHOLOGY — FRIEDMANN AND SMITH 465 



The present example from Cantaura is still farther away from the 

 coast. It seems that the range of this species is considerably more 

 extensive than is indicated in the literature. 



Hellmayr and Conover (Catalogue of the birds of the Americas, 

 pt. 1, No. 1, 1942, p. 435) find that corensis is an earlier name for 

 this species than gymnophthalmus Tcmminck, to which it is generally 

 referred. 



This large pigeon was rather common around Cantaura, being 

 recorded throughout the year. It was never seen in the vicinity of 

 Caicara, although an effort was made to record it at that station. 

 Nearer the coast the bird was a common inhabitant of the spiny 

 woods, but within the study area, where that habitat was absent, 

 it was generally found only near stands of tall trees in the deciduous 

 seasonal forest edge. 



There was considerable seasonal fluctuation in the numbers of this 

 species. The low was reached during December through March, 

 with a marked increase toward the end of the latter month. From 

 March on, flocks of 10 to 20 individuals were seen regularly where in 

 the preceding months scattered pairs and trios were occasionally en- 

 countered. During all this time the present species generally re- 

 mained apart from the other doves, but toward autumn, in October 

 and November, great flocks of up to 500 birds would be formed, 

 usually mixed in about equal numbers between Columba corensis and 

 C. cayennensis pallidicrissa. Then these flocks would suddenly disap- 

 pear, leaving only occasional stragglers. Fledgings, still unable to fly, 

 were recorded in mid-April, late in July, and early in August. 



The present species was often seen flying at great heights, a custom 

 shared only by the Columba pallidicrissa; the other doves of the area 

 were all low fliers. 



The call note of this pigeon was unmistakable. It consisted of 

 four notes, the first and last being loud and melodious, the middle 

 ones being short chucks. It might be written as coooo, chuck-chuk, 

 chooouu. 



Local name, "paloma ala blanca," white-winged dove. 



COLUMBA CAYENNENSIS PALLIDICRISSA Chubb 



Columba pallidicrissa Chubb, Ibis, 1910, p. 60 (Costa Rica). 



SPECIMENS COLLECTED 



1 9 , Cantaura, February 20, 1946; gonads slightly enlarged; iris light orange; 

 feet red. 



1 unsexed, Cantaura, May 7, 1945; iris orange; feet dull red, eye ring dull red; 

 gizzard contained small seeds. 



1 ? imm., Cantaura, August 17, 1949; gonads very small; iris dull tan, feet 

 dull red, bill black, skin on chin and upper throat bluish gray; gizzard contained 

 small red fruit with seeds. 



