﻿468 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. loo 



This small dove was common in the general habitat designated as 

 "dry woods edge"; it was also present but not common near the edge 

 of the wet woods, in either case usually encountered in small flocks, 

 rarely of more than 12 individuals. There was no noticeable variation 

 in the abundance of the bird throughout the year, except for a slight 

 increase in the size of the flocks as the young birds made their appear- 

 ance toward the end of the breeding season. 



Around Cant aura this species began nesting in January and con- 

 tinued throughout the months of April, June, and September. The 

 nests were well made, much more substantial than those of the mourn- 

 ing dove (Zenaidura macroura carolinensis) of the United States. 

 They were found in small trees, about 4 to 6 feet above ground. Of 

 six occupied nests examined, all contained two eggs or nestlings. 



On September 29 a pair was seen building a nest. Both birds were 

 contmually at the nest site, but it is not certain that both actually 

 carried materials there. On October 4 a bird was seen incubating and 

 caUing while on the nest. October 26 — young first seen, already 

 weU feathered (parent bird brooded too closely before to enable the 

 young to be seen). October 27, early morning — young left the nest, 

 one remaining in the bush durmg the day. Perhaps very rainy 

 weather might account, at least partially, for the fact that the young 

 were brooded up to one day before leaving the nest. October 29 — one 

 parent seen perched mth one young in a nearby tree. In aU, it was 

 29 days from nest-building to abandonment. 



The note of this dove, given continuously throughout the day, was 

 one of the typical sounds of the habitat. It may be written as 

 tuc-a-tuuu, the accent on the last syllable. The bird also had a low 

 note, crrrru crrrru, running lightly up or down the scale. 



As this dove flies, its wings make a dry rattling sound. Likening 

 this sound to that of the maracas (rattles used to supply rhythm for 

 much South American dance music), the local Venezuelans know the 

 bird as "potoca maraquera," "potoca" being a general name applied 

 to all small doves. 



COLUMBIGALUNA PASSERINA ALBIVITTA (Bonaparte) 



Ch{amaepelia\ albivitta Bonaparte, Comx:)t. Rend. Acad, Sci. Paris, vol. 40, 

 No. 1, 1855, p. 21 (Cartagena, Colombia). 



SPECIMEN COLLECTED 



1 9 , Cantaura, May 25, 1946; gonads enlarged; iris dark brown, base of bill dull 

 orange, tarsi and toes flesh color; in molt. 



This agrees with a number of other specimens of albivitta and bears 

 out Wetmore's observation (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 87, 1939, p. 

 198) that perpallida Hartert of Curasao and Margarita may be a 

 valid form. Our present example is darker below and duskier, less 

 pure olive bro%vnish above than specimens from those islands. 



