334 WHITE-HEADED DOVE. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



There is little or no variation in plumage in specimens which I have examined. Readily known from all allied species 

 by the white head and colors as described. Occurs in summer on the Florida Keys; resident in the Bahamas and West 

 Indies. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of male specimens from Florida. Length, 13-12; stretch, 21 P 75; wing, 5'50: tail, 5-<15; bill, 71; 

 tarsus, 1 - 05. Longest specimen, 14-25; greatest extent of wing, 23'50; longest wing, 7-.W; tail, 5-50; bill, '70; tarsus, TIG. 

 Shortest specimen, 12 00; smallest extent of wing, 21VOO; shortest wing, G'50: tail, 5'4i>; bill, '70; tarsus, I'OO. 



DESCRIPTION OP NESTS AND EGGS. 



Nests, placed in low trees or bushes; they are not bulky structures, being composed of sticks carelessly arranged, and 

 are without lining. 



Fyys, one or two in number, oval in form, pure creamy-white in color, with the surface very smooth. Dimensions, from 

 1-02x1-40 to 1-05x1-45. 



HABITS. 



During my visit to the Florida Keys in 1870-71, I searched eagerly for the White- 

 headed Pigeons, but I did not find them upon my arrival, early in November, although I 

 was assured by the inhabitants of Key West that some had been shot only a few days pre- 

 vious, nor was I so fortunate as to meet with them late in spring although I remained un- 

 til the last of May. I heard from them repeatedly, however, for nearly every one was 

 familiar with the wild Pigeons, as they are called, for these birds are still quite common, 

 especially in autumn. They breed abundantly on certain small keys which lie between 

 the chain of larger keys and the outer reef. Here they are quite tame and I was informed 

 by the wife of one of the wreckers, that they bred in the thick bushes which grew not. far 

 from her door. They were never disturbed when nesting and, consequently, became so 

 familiar that her little boy was accustomed to play with the young squabs as they sat in 

 the nest, while the parent Doves would alight near and unconcernedly watch the proceed- 

 ing. Later in the season, these birds are represented as being very will. 



In the middle of June, 1874, my assistants, when I was prevented from accompany- 

 ing them through sickness, visited (he small keys mentioned and found the birds breeding 

 on them. At this season, the heat so far south is perfectly stifling; add to this the fact 

 that clouds oj mosquitoes constantly rise from the rank vegetation to greet the intruder 

 with numberless stings, and one can readily understand that a collector must be very en- 

 thusiastic to prosecute his researches very far in such a region. In spite of these difficul- 

 ties, however, one of the party succeeded in finding several nests and in shooting about a 

 dozen birds, many of which he was unable to find in the thick and thorny jungle, especi- 

 ally when tormented to such an extent by his insect assailants. The nests were built 

 low in the thickest part of the scrub, from which it was difficult to dislodge the birds. 



In flight and note, the White-headed Pigeons resemble the Domestic Dove. They 

 arrive on the Florida Keys about the first week in June and depart late, in October. Dur- 

 ing the autumn, their numbers are considerably augmented by migrants from the Baha- 

 mas which are attracted to the Keys by the abundance of the fruit of the sea grape, upon 

 which the Doves feed. They are shot for food by the wreckers in autumn, but are now lit- 

 tle disturbed when nesting, and although they are far from being as abundant as described 

 by Audubon, they are still quite common. 



