WHITEWING DOVE. 305 



white band on the wing is at any distance a suffi- 

 cient distinctive mark. It is the only gregarious 

 Dove we have; for the small companies of the 

 Ground Dove can hardly entitle it to be so called : 

 the Whitewing, however, associates in flocks of 

 twenty or thirty, which, when removing, fly in a 

 body, as do tame Pigeons. In the early months 

 of the year, when the physic-nut (Jatropha curcas) 

 is ripening, and oranges come in, the Whitewing 

 becomes plentiful in open pastures, and the low 

 woods in the neighbourhood of habitations ; the seeds 

 of these fruits, and the castor-oil nut, forming the 

 principal part of their food* At this time they are 

 very easily shot, as they walk about on the ground. 

 They are also taken very readily in springes, 

 and in traps called calambans, baited with orange 

 seeds. Sometimes when the foot is caught in the 

 springe, the bird will remain very quietly ; at others 

 it struggles much, so as almost to be deplumed : cats 

 often find them, and leave little but feathers to the 

 owner. Occasionally the bird is caught by the neck, 

 and I have been told of an instance, in which a 

 Whitewing taken thus, flying with impetuosity on 

 the alarm, cut its head absolutely off with the string, 

 the body falling one way and the head another. 

 From the ease with which they are procured, they 



forming a broad band from shoulder to hind angle, Uropygials umber, 

 tail-feathers grey with broad bluish- white tips, the grey becoming black at 

 its termination, and ending abruptly : the white is more pure, and the 

 grey nearly black on the under surface. Neck, throat, and breast pale 

 umber, glossed on the side with green, crimson , and gold reflections ; a 

 spot of deep blue under the ear ; belly, sides, and under tail-coverts grey- 

 ish white. Sexes alike. Intestine 41 inches : no caecum. 



