384 NORTH a.\[i:rican birds. 



Specimens from the wliole of Nortli America, soutli to Costa Eica and 

 the West India Islands, are identical in colors and proportions. 



Specimens from Cnba, Jamaica, and other West India Islands, resenililo 

 examples from the eastern United States, but are considerably smaller, the 

 Aving measuring less than S.^U iuclics. The dark blotches on the Avings 

 ai)l)ear of unusual size, the niibus tinge on tiie back is more decided, and 

 the under parts are more dee^ily colored. In these respects they resemble 

 somewhat skins from Cape St. Lucas, collected by Mr. Xantus. 



IlAniTrt. The Carolina l)ov(! is found tliroughout tlie United States, in 

 nearly all i)arts, from tlie Clulf of Mexico to Canada, and from the Atlantic 

 coast to the I'acilic. It occurs also in the West Indies, in Mexico, and in 

 Central America. It is found in the southern part of ISIaine as far to the 

 eastward as C.lais, but was not collected by Mr. Verrill at Xorway, and is 

 not known to occur in the northern part of that State. Partlier west, it is met 

 with to the Canada line ; a few l)eing known to breed near Hamilton, and 

 others to pass the winter near Salt Springs, according to Mr. Mcllwmith. 

 Tliey occur with more or less abundance in different parts of Massachusetts, 

 but are generally (piite rare except in one or two localities. In nearlj' all 

 the rest of tiie United States they are wiilel}' and generally distributed, and 

 often abundant. In some parts of the country they are cherisheil for their 

 confiding trust in the protection of man ; while in othei-s they are hunted 

 on account of their delicacy as food, and are very .shy and difficult of ap- 

 proach. In Carlisle, Penn., I found them one of the most connnon birds, 

 frequenting the gardens and orchards, and breeding often in close proximity 

 to the houses. In Western Massachusetts, on the other hand, where they 

 were once quite abundant, tliey have been so persistently hunted that they 

 are very shy, and have become quite rare. 



In Kansas and in Colorado they were frequently foinid by Mr. Allen, and 

 in the latter region also by Mcsgrs. Aiken and Holden. On the Plains, in 

 the absence of any trees in which to build, they were in the habit of con- 

 structing their nests on the ground, in some instances depositing their eggs 

 in a mere depression in the sand, with hardly iiny pretence for a nest. 



This bird was obtained in Tamaulipas, Mexico, by Lieutenant Couch; at 

 Pinggold Barracks, Texas, by INIr. J. II. Clark ; near San Elizario, by Dr. 

 Kennerly ; and on the Colorado, by IMr. Schott. Mr. Clark found the vicinity 

 of Pinggold Barracks a great resort for many birds of. this f\innly for the 

 purpose of nesting ; the luxuriant development of the Opmitia, and other 

 vegetation equally impassable, affording the means of defence. Hundreds 

 of at least half a dozen species were to be seen every evening on the 

 banks of the river after water. Lieutenant Couch found it in great numbers 

 from the llio Grande to beyond the Sierra Madre, generally near the ranches, 

 though often in the forests. It seemed inclined to court the society of 

 man for protection and food. It was also very abundant, according to Dr. 

 Keuuerly, iu the vicinity of San Elizario, banding in large flocks, and 



