GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 159 



The SPARROW PIGEONS {Pyrgitxtias), the smallest members of the entire order, are 

 strongly-built birds, with a short neck and small head. Their wings, in which the second quill is 

 the longest, are of medium length ; the tail, composed of twelve feathers, is comparatively short, and 

 rounded at its tip ; the short beak, is straight and delicate, the foot small, and the tarsus bare. 



THE SPARROW PIGEON, OR GROUND DOVE. 



The Sparrow Pigeon, or Ground Dove, as it is called in North America {Pyrgitxnas passerina, 

 or Cobuiiba passerina), is principally of a greyish brown, with dark grey crown of head and nape. 

 The rump is dull brownish grey, and the breast whitish ; the feathers on the breast and fore part of 

 the throat are edged with deep brown ; the quills are dark brown, with brownish red inner web ; the 

 tail-feathers black, those at the exterior bordered with white on the outer web ; the feathers on the 

 wing-covers are enlivened by round spots of metallic lustre. The eye is bright orange, the beak pale 

 red, deepest in shade at its tip; the foot is reddish brown. The Ground Dove is six inches and 

 a half long, and ten inches and a quarter broad. The wing measures three inches and a quarter, 

 the tail two inches and a third. 



This species, which is the smallest, most delicate, and inoffensive of all Doves, is a native of 

 the West Indian Islands and the Southern States of North America. In the northern parts of that 

 continent it visits the country near the coast only during the course of its migrations. In Jamaica, 

 on the contrary, it remains throughout the entire year, living in small parties of from four to twenty 

 birds, and frequenting grassy plains or pasture land. 



" The flight of the Ground Dove," says Audubon, " is low, easy, and accompanied by a 

 whistling sound, produced by the action of the wings wlien the bird is surprised and forced to fly; 

 but it seldom flies more than one hundred yards at a time, and, indeed, is extremely attached to 

 the spot it has selected for the season. You may drive it to tlie opposite end of a field, and 

 yet in a few hours after it may be found in the place whence you raised it. Although it alights 

 on trees or low bushes, on the branches of which it walks with ease, the ground is its usual resort. 

 There it runs with facilitj', keeping its tail considerably elevated, as if to prevent it from being soiled. 

 It is also fond of alighting on fences, where it is easily observed, and where it may be heard cooing 

 for half an hour at a time. These Pigeons are met with in groups of four or five, and it is seldom 

 that more than a dozen are seen together. They prefer the thinly-grained, sandy portions of cotton- 

 fields, pea-patches, and such places. In East Florida they are seen in the villages, and resort to the 

 orange-groves about them, where they frequently breed." " I have found them," continues our 

 author, " in the famous Spanish fort of St. Augustine, where I have been surprised to see them rise 

 almost perpendicularly to reach above the parapets, by which they insured their escape. They are 

 easily caught in traps, and in that place are sold for six and a quarter cents each. They readily 

 become domesticated, and, indeed, so very gentle are they that I have seen a pair that have been 

 caught at the time when their young ones were quite small, and placed in an aviary, at once cover 

 their little ones, and continue to nourish them until full grown.. They afterwards reared a second 

 brood, and showed great spirit in keeping the Jays and Starlings away from their charge. The 

 Ground Doves were fed on rice and other grain." 



The nest of this species is large and compact, the exterior formed of dvf twigs, with a lining of 

 grass disposed in a circular form. The eggs, deposited in April, are two in number, and of a pure 

 white ; usually two, sometimes three broods, are reared in the season. The male struts before the 

 female after the manner of the Barbary Ringed Dove. 



" I met with some of these birds," says Audubon, " on Sandy Island, six miles from Cape Sable. 

 They were so gentle that I approached them within less than two yards. Their nest was placed on 



