SPOTTED DOVE 157 



SPOTTED DOVE 



Zenaida maculata 



Above pale brown ; nape plumbeous ; outer wing-coverts and 

 scapularies with a few black spots ; wings dark grey, with fine 

 white margins ; tail plumbeous, broadly ended with white, and 

 crossed by a subapical black band ; middle rectrices like the back ; 

 beneath pale vinaceous, brighter on the breast, and whiter on the 

 throat ; bill black, feet yellow ; length 9, wing 5.5 inches. Female 

 similar. 



THIS is the commonest species of the Pigeon tribe 

 in the Argentine country, and is known to everyone 

 as the Torcasa, probably a corruption of Tortola 

 (Turtle-Dove). In autumn they often congregate in 

 very large flocks, and are sometimes observed migrat- 

 ing, flock succeeding flock, all travelling in a northerly 

 direction, and continuing to pass for several conse- 

 cutive days. But these autumnal migrations are not 

 witnessed every year, nor have I seen any return 

 migration in spring ; while the usual autumn and 

 winter movements are very irregular, and apparently 

 depend altogether on the supply of food. When the 

 giant thistle has covered the plains in summer in- 

 credible numbers of Torcasas appear later in the season, 

 and usually spend the winter on the plains, congregat- 

 ing every evening in countless myriads wherever there 

 are trees enough to afford a suitable roosting-place. 



On bright warm days in August, the sweet and 

 sorrowful sob-like song of this Dove, composed of 

 five notes, is heard from every grove a pleasing, soft, 

 murmuring sound, which causes one to experience by 

 anticipation the languid summer feeling in his veins. 



