14-0 COLUMBID^E. 



wings plumbeous, larger coverts broadly edged with white : beneath pale vina- 

 ceous ; flanks and crissum plumbeous : whole length 14*0 inches, wing 8*0, 

 tail 4'5. Female similar. 



Hab. S.E. Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. 



The Picazuro or common Wood-Pigeon of the Argentine Republic 

 is of about the size of the domestic Pigeon, but has longer wings, and 

 differs greatly in colour and markings. In summer it inhabits woods, 

 and is seen in pairs or small parties, but in winter unites in flocks of from 

 twenty to one or two hundred individuals, and roams much over the 

 open country. It is a wary bird, and when feeding walks on the ground 

 in a slow and somewhat stately manner. In spring, its song resounds 

 in the woods, and, when heard for the first time, fills the listener with 

 wonder, so strangely human-like in tone are its long mournful notes. 

 The notes are five, the last one long with a falling inflection, and pro- 

 foundly sorrowful. The nest is a platform structure, frequently placed 

 on a broad horizontal branch ; the eggs are two, and closely resemble 

 those of the common Rock-Pigeon of Europe. 



358. COLUMBA MACULOSA, Temm. 

 (SPOT-WINGED PIGEON.) 



Columba maculosa, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 132; Sclater, P. Z. S. 1872, 

 p. 545 (Rio Negro) ; Dumford, Ibis, 1877, p. 42 (Chupat), et 1878, p. 401 

 (Centr. Patagonia); White, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 626 (Catamarca); Barrows, 

 Auk, 1884, p. 274 (Entrerioe). 



Description. Above pale vinaceous brown, profusely spotted on the back and 

 wings with white apical spots ; lower back and tail plumbeous ; wings and tail 

 slaty black, the former with narrow whitish margins : beneath plumbeous, with 

 a strong vinaceous tinge ; bill black ; feet yellow : whole length 13*0 inches, 

 wing 8'5, tail 4-5. Female similar. 



Hab. Peru, Bolivia, Western Argentina, and Patagonia. 



This Pigeon has a general resemblance to the Picazuro, but may be 

 at once distinguished by its spotted back and wings. It ranges from 

 South Peru through Bolivia and Western Argentina into Patagonia, 

 where it appears to be a resident. In winter, the valley of the Rio 

 Negro is visited by it in immense flocks, which are a great plague to the 

 farmers, as they descend in clouds on the fields, and devour the wheat 

 before it has time to sprout. While watching crowds of these birds 

 feeding on the ground, I noticed that their manner was in striking con- 

 trast to that of the C. picazuro, which has slow and dignified motions ; 

 for it hurried about, and snatched up its food with such rapidity 

 that the most animated motions of other birds that feed in flocks on 



