Vol l906' 111 ] Bailey, Notes on Birds of Western Mexico. 385 



while dusting themselves in the paths they could be approached to within 

 six feet, or even less, before they would take to the brush. This bird was 

 rather scarce near Tepic, as compared to the coast region. Up to the 

 time of my departure, May 17, they had not bred and few had paired. 



32. Ortalis vetula maccalli. Chachalaca. — To the right of the 

 ranch house in a small ravine at the foot of the hill stood a tree which 

 during my stay in that section had a green fruit on it about the size of a 

 grape. It was this fruit that the Chachalaca seemed to especially like, 

 and nearly every morning a flock of from six to ten could be found feeding 

 there. The flesh is similar to that of the wild turkey, and the majority 

 of the specimens secured were made into soup during the last illness of 

 W. E. Bryant. Another large flock was seen in a dense jungle between 

 San Bias and the rancho, but up to the time of my departure, May 17, 

 none were found breeding. 



33. Columba flavirostris. Red-billed Pigeon. — Few large flocks 

 were seen, the majority being in flocks of from four to eight, and they 

 always kept well toward the top of the trees. These birds, I was told, 

 breed in the tall timber on the mountain sides back of the rancho, but 

 none were found breeding up to May 17. 



34. Columba flavirostris madrensis. Tres Marias Pigeon. — 

 A few were secured on Cleofa Island, March 10, but after the drench- 

 ing caused by the canoe upsetting they were hardly fit for the cabi- 

 net, so the specimens were eaten with relish by both Mr. Beermaker and 

 myself. This was really the only bird that could be called wild on the 

 islands. They were always found in pairs, and generally in the tops of the 

 tallest trees. No nests were found, as it was too early for any of the land 

 birds to be breeding except the Double Yellow-headed Parrot. 



35. Zenaidura macroura. Mourning Dove. — Quite common on 

 the mainland around San Bias, always keeping on the ground under the 

 dense undergrowth. No nests were discovered up to the time of leaving. 



36. Melopelia leucoptera. White-winged Dove. — This dove was 

 quite common around the rancho, frequenting the banana grove in search 

 of food, which it secured around the stems of the plants and amongst the 

 fallen leaves. It also was very common under the thick foliage on the 

 uncleared land or in the jungle. - 



37. Columbigallina passerina pallescens. Mexican Ground Dove. 

 — Flocks of these were quite numerous and tame around the banana ranch, 

 often coming up to the house and under the front porch to pick up grain 

 dropped by the horses while feeding. They were also found in large 

 flocks on the cleared land around San Bias. 



38. Cathartes aura. Turkey Vulture. — Only two pairs were 

 noted during my whole stay on the mainland and these were back of the 

 rancho, but on White Rock they were very common, while the Black 

 Vulture, was absent. Their main food on the islands seemed to be, like 

 that of the gulls and caracaras, the victims of the booby fights, with 



