207 



WHITE-BELLIED GROUND DOVE. 



Peristera Jamaicensis. * 



PLATE XXIV. 



Columba Jamaicensis, Lath. Ind. Ornith. 2, 595 ep. 8.- 

 Temm. Pig. 8vo, p. 411 Columba rufaxilla, Wagler, 

 Syst. Av. sp. 69. Columbe-Galline front gris, Temm. 

 Pig. pi. 10 White-bellied Pigeon, Lath. Syn. 4, 619, 8. 



IN this species we again have the curious attenua- 

 tion of the first quill feather, which, as already men- 

 tioned, exists in several species belonging to diffe- 

 rent groups of the Columbidae, in other respects, but 

 distantly connected with each other. In the rest of 

 its characters, it agrees with those we have given of 

 the genus, the bill being emarginated, the wings 

 rounded and concave, and the sides and hinder part 

 of the tarsi perfectly smooth. It is found in the 

 island of Jamaica, and is also widely distributed 

 throughout South America as far as the River Plate. 

 It inhabits wooded districts, and is seen perched 

 amidst the low thick bushes, where it conceals itself 

 and roosts, or else upon the ground where it obtains 

 its food, and where it walks and runs with great ac- 

 * Named on the Plate P. rufaxilla. 



