GROUND DOVES. 



39 



reached their greatest prosperity in the early part of 

 the eighteenth century. About the middle of that 

 century they were deserted on account of imbroglios 

 between Spain and other nations, as well as the hos- 

 tility of the Indians. Bartram's work was, therefore, 

 written a half century after their abandonment. 



On the way back from the old chimneys I noted the 

 long-billed marsh wren, Cistothorm palusiris Wilson, 

 and the Maryland yel- 

 low throat, GeotJilypis 

 trichas L. both old 

 northern acquaint- 

 ances flitting about 

 the weedy margins of 

 a marsh. Flocks of 

 turtle doves were also 

 seen, but they appear 

 to be less common here 

 than the ground dove, 



Columbigattina passerina L. The first part of this 

 long scientific name signifies "pigeon" and "hen," 

 and the latter part, "like a sparrow," the dove par- 

 taking of the characteristics of all three of these 

 well-known birds. They are but little larger than 

 the English sparrow, greyish olive glossed with blue 

 above; the male with the head and breast wine col- 

 ored. Settling down in the streets and the back 

 yards, they search for food, bill and coo, almost re- 

 gardless of the presence of man. Bartram mentions 



Fig. 8 Ground Doves. 



