190 NE8T8 AND EGGS OF 



fined to Southwestern Texas and Southern Arizona, and probably to Southern Nev 

 Mexico, although there are as yet no records of its breeding in the latter Territory, 

 BO far as he was aware. A few stragglers breed probably in Southern California, 

 where it has been taken on several occasions. It is quite common in Lower Cali- 

 fornia, where Mr. J. Xantus took its eggs near Cape St. Lucas, and Mr. L. Belding 

 at San Jose del Carbo. Mr. Xantus says: "The small and rather compact nests are 

 placed on the horizontal branch of a stout bush or tree, and are lined with a few 

 straws. On one occasion I found the eggs in a roughly-made nest on the ground on 

 the edge of a prairie." Dr. James C. Merrill found this subspecies abundant in the 

 vicinity of Fort Brown, Texas, wheie he secured the eggs. Mr. Herbert Brown 

 says it is common about Tucson, Arizona. From April to June is the nesting season 

 of this Ground Dove. The eggs are two in number, pure white, elliptical oval in 

 shape, a few slightly pointed, and some may be called oval. The average measure- 

 ment of fifty-four specimens in the National Museum collection is .85x.65; the 

 largest .91x.69, the smallest .79x.63. 



321. INCA DOVE. Scunlnfrlln inca (Less.) Geog. Dist. Southern border of 

 the United States (Texas to Southern Arizona) south to Mexico and Guatemala. 



This species is known as the Scaled Dove; nearly all the plumage is mark< <l 

 with black crescentic-edged feathers, producing a scaly appearance. In various 

 places in Southern Arizona, New Mexico, and along the Rio Grande valley in 

 this species is quite common during the summer months. Throughout Mexico and 

 Yucatan it is very abundant, and is known as the Long-tailed Ground Dove. It is 

 very tame and familiar, frequenting cultivated gardens about houses, and is said to 

 live more on the ground than the so-called Ground Dove. Its cooing is coarse and 

 tolerably loud. The nest of this species is built in bushcr., vines and small tiv.-s 

 similar to that of Columbtyallina /ww/ -iim ; it is a mere platform of twigs. The eggs 

 are invariably two in number, white, oval in shape, both ends being nearly equal; 

 average size, .82x.65. 



[322.] KEY WEST QUAIL-DOVE, (icutryumi iiinrtinicn (Linn.) Geog. 

 Dist. Key West, Florida, Hayti, Cuba, Bahamas. 



A constant resident of the Bahamas, Cuba and Hayti. Audubon met with a few 

 of this species on the island of Key "West, Florida, but it is said not to have been 

 observed there lately. Within the United States, however, its breeding range is 

 confined to the island of Key West and the extreme Florida Keys. According to 

 Audubon, the movements and general habits of this species are similar to those of 

 the Carolina Dove. The nest is described as formed of light, dry twigs; it is built 

 in the branches of trees or in bushes, occasionally it is placed on the ground. Ac- 

 cording to Audubon the eggs are two in number, pure white, and about the size of 

 those of the White-crowned Pigeon. 



[322. 1.] RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE. (}cotry</<,n wontaiid Linn. Geog. Hist. 

 Tropical America in general, including West Indies; north to Cuba and Kasi.-rn 

 Mexico; accidental at Key West, Florida. 



The Ruddy Quail was first given a place in the avifauna of North America by 

 Mr. W. E. Scott from a specimen taken at Key West. Dec. 10. 1888. Maj. Bendire 

 states that it is very doubtful if it breeds within our limits. Two eggs are laid. The 

 average size of seven eggs in the U. S. National Museum collection, all taken in tin- 

 West Indies, is 1.06x.83. They are oval in shape and in color vary from pair groon 

 to salmon-buff. Its general habits and nidification resemble those of the Key \V -st 

 Dove. 



