386 KEY WEST PIGEON. 



sinus in the sharp margins ; lower mandible with the angle near the ex- 

 tremity, which is compressed and rounded. Nostrils medial, oblique, li- 

 near. Head small and compressed, the general form rather robust. Legs 

 short, and of moderate strength ; tarsus covered anteriorly witli broad 

 scutella, rounded behind ; toes scutellate free, margined ; claws rather 

 small, arched, compressed, marginate, obtuse. 



Plumage compact on the back, elsewhere blended with strong, but 

 disunited barbs. Wings of ordinary length ; second quill longest, first 

 intermediate between the fourth and fifth. First four primaries more or 

 less cut out on the outer web, towards the end. Tail much rounded, of 

 twelve broad rounded feathers. 



Bill horn-colour at the end, the fleshy parts at the base bright car- 

 mine. Iris and margins of the eye-lids carmine. Feet flesh-coloured, 

 the scutella of the tarsus and toes carmine. Forehead and a band run- 

 ning behind the eye light reddish-brown ; upper part of the head shining 

 with purplish-brown and hght green reflections, as is the back of the 

 neck. The general colour of the upper parts is brownish-red, the wing- 

 coverts and margins of the quills and tail shaded with green, the fore part 

 of the back splendent with purple reflections. There is a broad white 

 band from the lower mandible beneath the eye, and the throat is of the 

 same colour ; under the subocular white band is another of the same co- 

 lour as the forehead. The fore-neck and breast are of a rich but delicate 

 pale purple, which fades into cream-colour behind. Under surface of the 

 wings and tail of the same colour as the upper, but fainter. 



Length ll| inches, extent of wings 17 j ; bill along the back \^, 

 along the edge 1 inch ; tarsus Ij^, middle-toe ^^ ; weight 6 ounces. 



Adult Female. Plate CLXVII. Fig. 2. 



The Female resembles the Male, the tints being merely fainter, and 

 the gloss of the neck and back less splendent. 



The plants represented in this plate grew on Key West, in sheltered 

 situations. That with purple flowers is a Convolvulus, the other an 

 Ipomaea. The blossoms are partially closed at night, and although orna- 

 mental, are destitute of odour. 



