120 Synopsis of the Birds 



Inhabits the United States during summer ; common ; win- 

 tering chiefly in the southern states. 



200. Columba migratoria, L. Bluish-slate ; belly white ; 

 throat, breast and sides, vinaceous ; tail black, of twelve 

 eathers ; five lateral whitish. 



Female paler ; breast cinereous-brown. 



Young dull dirty gray, spotted with whitish. 



Passenger Pigeon, Columba migratoria, Wils Am. Om. v. 

 p. 102. pi- 44. fig. x.male. 



Inhabits North America east of the Rocky Mountains, ex- 

 ceedingly numerous : less abundant in the Atlantic states. 



SUBGENUS II. GOURA. 



Genus Goilra, Stephens. Ranz. Columba, Lophyrus, Vieill. 



Columbi-Gallince, he Vaill. Cuv. Temm. 



Bill slender, flexible, hardly turgid at tip ; upper mandible 

 furrowed on the sides : nostrils small, orbicular, situated in 

 the furrow. Tarsi rather long. Wings short, rounded, con- 

 cave ; first primary shorter than the fifth ; third longest. 

 Tail of twelve feathers. 



In structure and habits approach nearer to the Gallinae 

 than their congeners. The greater number of species keep 

 generally on the ground, where they build. The young of 

 some species are said to run from the nest as soon as hatched, 

 and not to require the care of the parents. 



201. Columba passerina, L. Scapulars with dark spots ; tail 

 rounded, lateral feathers black, tipped and edged with 

 white ; bill black at tip, and with the feet, yellow. 



Ground Dove, Columba passerina, Wils. Jim. Orn. vi. p. 

 15, pi. W-fig- 2. male, fig. 3. female. 



Inhabits the southern states, during summer; found also in 

 Mexico and the West Indies : numerous. 



