Zenaida Doves 427 



possession of the abandoned nests of other birds, either adding a few sticks or 

 using them as they are found. The eggs, according to Bendire, usually two in 

 number, may sometimes be only one, and occasionally three or four, although 

 it is probable that when of the latter number more than one bird may have 

 occupied the nest. Two or three broods are raised in a season, the young being 

 fed at first on cutworms and bugs of various kinds and later on seeds and grain. 

 They grow rapidly and are soon able to care for themselves, although it is not an 

 uncommon sight to see a female covering fully fledged young. The mature 

 birds feed on small seed, grain, berries, small acorns, and beechnuts, and in cer- 

 tain parts of their range they do considerable damage to sprouting corn and early 

 peas. They are often seen in weed and stubble fields or along roads, where 

 they are fond of taking dust baths. Although sometimes found during the day 

 at a distance from water, they regularly resort at morning and evening to their 

 drinking places, and by following the direction of their flight the thirsty traveler 

 has more than once been led to a spring or other water supply. 



The three other forms of the genus are found respectively in Yucatan, and 

 on Clarion and Socorro islands. 



Zenaida Doves. Differing from the Mourning Doves in having a shorter and 

 rounder tail of only twelve rectrices are the Zenaida Doves (Zenaida), of which 

 some nine forms are recognized. They are olive-brown or russet above, with the 

 scapulars black-spotted and the head, neck, and breast cinnamon-color, which is 

 relieved by a spot of blue-black beneath the ear, and reflections of changeable 

 metallic purple on the sides of the neck. 



The handsome little Zenaida Dove (Z. zenaida} is the only species found in 

 the United States, ranging from the Florida Keys through the Bahamas, Greater 

 and Lesser Antilles to the coast of Yucatan. It is, however, now rare on the 

 Florida Keys. It is about ten or ten and a half inches long, and the sexes are 

 similar. It is rather solitary, never being met with in flocks, and spending most 

 of its time on the ground, where it builds its nest or sometimes in holes in rocks 

 or on very low trees and bushes. Scott found them breeding in Jamaica among 

 low woods and mangroves. Closely allied is the Antillean or Seaside Dove 

 (Z. caslanea), which differs in having the under tail-coverts whitish instead of 

 deep cinnamon ; it is found in the Lesser Antilles. In Grenada, Wells speaks 

 of it as very numerous all around the island, frequenting the mangroves, open 

 pastures, the cliffs overhanging the sea, and the little islets. It feeds on fallen 

 berries and seeds, pigeon peas, etc., and makes its nest generally in a tuft of 

 grass, sometimes on the bare ground or on ledges along the cliffs. The other 

 species do not differ very greatly in plumage and have similar habits. 



The Galapagos Archipelago is the exclusive home of a Ground Dove (Neso- 

 pelia galapagoensis), eight and a half inches long, which is similar to the mem- 

 bers of the last genus but with the tail proportionally shorter and less graduated, 

 while the legs and feet are larger and stouter, and the bill longer and stouter; 

 but little is known of its habits. 



White-winged Dove. The final genus of this group (Melopdia) embraces 

 but two species, the best-known being the White-winged Dove (M. leucoptera] 



