1892] Scott oh the Birds of Jamaica. \1'\ 



species while in J;imaic:i nor has Mr. Taylor ever seen the birds alive. 

 Under the name of Colnmba rujina Gosse refers to this species at some 

 length (Birds of Jamaica, p. 296). It is apparently not so abundant as 

 it was in former years. None of the local hunters about Boston seemed 

 to know anything about such a Pigeon, though they are familiar with the 

 different representatives of the family that exist in the vicinity; and de- 

 scribe the kinds of Pigeons and Doves so that they are recognizable. 



103. Zenaida zenaida {Botiap.). Zenaida Dove. Pea Dove. — A com- 

 mon lesident species near Boston, and met with almost daily during my 

 stay at that point. They feed generally on the ground, and are often 

 associated with M. leucoptera. The iris is reddish orange. These birds 

 are about the first of the Pigeons and Doves to breed. A male taken on 

 January 6 had the testes almost fully developed, and females taken about 

 the same time indicate the near approach of the breeding season. Sub- 

 joined are Mr. Taylor's notes. "Common in some parts. Breeds at Port 

 Henderson among the low woods and mangroves. Eggs average smaller 

 than those oi M. Icucopiera." 



104. Engyptila jamaicensis {Linn.). White-bellied Pigeon. — This 

 was a common species in the localities frequented by C caribea, but was 

 by no means as abundant as that species. It is undoubtedly on« of the 

 native birds that have suffered seriously from the persecutions of the 

 mongoose. The birds are rarely seen away from the mountains. Fe- 

 males taken on January 13 indicated the near approach of the breeding 

 season. Mr. Taylor's notes are as follows : "A mountain species about 

 whose habits I know little. The nest is said to be built chiefly in low 

 bushes. I have not seen the eggs. The White-belly appears to be more 

 terrestrial in its habits than any of the other Doves of Jamaica, the Ground 

 Dove perhaps excepted." 



105. Melopelia leucoptera {Linn.). White-winged Dove. — This was a 

 common and conspicuous species at Boston, and more gregarious than 

 the other Doves and Pigeons. Flocks of a dozen individuals were not 

 at all uncommon, and on several occasions I saw flocks of as many as 

 forty or fifty individuals. The species was represented, but was not 

 common, at Stony Hill, and I saw the birds near Port Antonio in 

 numbers. 



Mr. Taylor's notes, which I quote, are very full in regard to these 

 birds: "The White-wing is strictly gregarious, moving and feeding in 

 flocks. It is especially partial to the seeds of the moringa or horserad- 

 dish-tree, and numbers are often taken in traps baited with these seeds. 

 At the Palisades is an extensive moringa plantation where these birds 

 are numerous at all times of the year. Next to the Ground Dove it is 

 the most common Pigeon in the lowlands. There is one locality in 

 Kingston where they always may be seen, and that is the woods near the 

 sea at Belle Vue, a property nearly adjoining the Lunatic Asylum. The 

 White-wing is partial to clumps of cactus and thorny trees such as the 

 cashaw for nesting purposes ; it also breeds in numbers among the woods 

 and mangroves at Port Henderson and Passage Fort, and I found nests 



