IS '^Description of Kew Species of Birds from 



The tail consists of fourteen feathers, as in the two others 

 of the genus ; the shape of the tail is like that of Z. yucatanen- 

 sisy the feathers not pointed as in Z. carolinensis. 



Remarks. It bears no resemblance to Z. carolinensis ^ com- 

 pared with Z. yucatanensis, tliey are somewhat alike in color- 

 ing below, but in Z. graysoni tlie color is more uniform and 

 much darker ; it differs from both species in the absence of 

 metallic coloring on the neck. 



Note and observations ly Col. Grayson. 



" The Solitary Dove. Iris dark brown ; bill dark brown, 

 with a sliiiht tinge of red ; base of under mandible reddish- 

 purple, as also the base of the gape; tarsi and toes reddish 

 flesh-color, posterior portion of which is paler, nails brown- 

 ish-black ; bare space extending from base of bill to and 

 around the eye plumbeous; second and third primary quills 

 longest ; tail graduated, with fourteen feathers, outer ones \.\ 

 inches shorter than the central. Not abundant. 



" Of all the birds I met with in the Island, this seemed to be 

 the most lonely ; not a flock or even a pair were ever seen 

 together. They are remarkably tame, perhaps more so than 

 any bird of this order ; one was captured by hand as it came 

 into our camp, and perched upon the rude table on which I 

 was at work. Its melancholy look appeared to be in keeping 

 with the solitude of, and its sombre plumage corresponding 

 with the gray brush and brown volcanic rock composing its 

 wild home. In form and appearance, when alive, it resembles 

 the common Turtle Dove. 



" The first specimen seen and captured was by my son, 

 Edward Grayson, whose name this evidently new species 

 should bear — not for this discovery alone, but for the as- 

 sistance often rendered, in making my collections, and more 

 particularly on this expedition, in which he was indefatigable, 

 even to enthusiasm, in aiding its progress, as well as the 

 advancement of science, in the cause of which he came to an 

 untimely death ! " 



