412 Wetmore, Birds of Vieques Island, P. R. [oct. 



Ground Dove. — Resident. Thi.s species was very abundant in the roads 

 that cut the cane fields into great squares and was common along trails 

 and in pastures. Usually the birds were in paks but small flocks were found 

 even up to the first of April. They seemed to prefer the heat of midday 

 to the cooler morning and evening. A heavy dew usually held them in- 

 active until it had dried. They perch readily in open trees sitting close 

 together. When they feel under observation they become nervous at 

 once, walking along the limbs with nodding heads. Then suddenly taking 

 alarm they fly out with considerable noise. 



The breeding season here began about March 20. As I have already 

 noted (Wetmore, 1916, p. 49) the nests found on Vieques Island were larger 

 and bulkier than those from Porto Rico. On March 30 I collected a set 

 of two eggs with incubation just begun, from a nest on the horizontal Umb 

 of a Muneco {Cordia collococca), about seven feet from the ground. This 

 nest contained more material than any other dove's nest that has come 

 under my observation and in form was deep, cup-shaped and thick-walled. 

 The male was engaged in incubation. On this same date another nest 

 similar to the first one but as yet empty was discovered. 



These doves are said at times to pick up kernels of corn shelled out and 

 dropped by the blackbirds (Holoquiscalus hrachyplerus) but I did not ob- . 

 serve them doing this. 



27. Zenaida zenaida lucida Noble. Zenaida Dove. — Resident. 

 Very common in the dense growth of the dry heavily forested hills and found 

 frequently in the brurshy pastures. In the forests it was hard to get near 

 them, only the loud clapping of their wings betraying them as they flushed 

 at some distance ahead. March was apparently the height of their breed- 

 ing season and the males were heard cooing constantly, a song very similar 

 to that of Zenaidura macroura. In May and June they are said to come in 

 flocks to feed on the fruit of the Palo bianco (Drypetes sp.). Many are 

 shot by sportsmen at this time. This bird is recorded by Mr. Bowdish 

 through an error as the Mourning Dove (1900, p. 72). 



28. Patagioenas leucocephala (Linnaeus). White-crowned Pigeon. 

 —Resident. On March 25 this pigeon was fairly common in a strip of heavy 

 swampy timber near Porto Ferro. Their flight was strong and swift and 

 while in the trees they sat motionless, hidden in the leafy branches. One 

 was taken. Near Mameyes on Porto Rico these pigeons were known locally 

 as " Viequera " from the belief that they did not nest on the main island 

 but crossed from Vieques when the icacos {Chrysobalanus icaco) were ripe 

 in order to feed upon them. Their fondness for this fruit at Mameyes was 

 noticeable but they nested without doubt in the same locality as that in 

 which they were feeding. Ordinarily this pigeon bears the native name of 

 Paloma cabeziblanco. In May and June when various wild fruits are ripe 

 they come out of the swamps in large flocks and gather to feed in localities 

 in which they are unknown during the breeding season. 



29. Patagioenas squamosa (Bonneterre). Scaled Pigeon. — For- 

 merly these large pigeons were common but now there are only a few re- 



