252 PEEISTEKID^. 



differences. Our series of skins from Jamaica is not, however, large enough for us to 

 judge of the value of Mr. Chapman's diagnosis, but the different colour of the bill, 

 taken from the notes of Mr. W. D. Scott, appears to us to be a character of doubtful 

 value. With regard to the lighter plumage, which would warrant the separation of 

 C. pallescens as a distinct form, our series proves that there is no geographical area to 

 which the light or dark birds can be restricted, and even the Florida specimens can be 

 matched by others from Mexico, the grey of the head and the vinous colour of the 

 throat varying greatly in the series. 



The description of C. passerina was doubtless taken from Catesby just as much as 

 from Sloane, both of whose figures are quoted by Linnaeus ; and in the face of so much 

 uncertainty, we think it better to follow Salvadori in his nomenclature. 



This little Ground-Dove is common throughout the greater part of Central America, 

 and is said by Sumichrast to be abundant in Mexico ; we also found it to be both 

 plentiful and resident in Guatemala, nesting near Duenas in the O/OMnfz'a-plantations. 

 The species is also common in Costa Rica ^^ and in Nicaragua ^^, especially about the 

 roads and cattle-paths and in the neighbourhood of dwellings. It lives almost entirely 

 on the ground and feeds on seeds and grain. The nest is built of twigs and grass, 

 and is a substantial structure for so small a Pigeon ; it is usually placed in a bush or 

 hanging creeper, and only occasionally on the ground. 



2. Chamaepelia socorroensis. 



ChamtEpelia pallescens (nee Baird), Grayson, Pr. Best. Soc. N. H. xiv. p. 300'; Lawr. Mem. Bost. 



Soc. N. H. ii. p. 305 (part.) \ 

 Columbigallina passerina socorroensis, Ridgw. Man. N. Amer. Birds, p. 586 ' ; op. cit. 2nd ed. 1896, 



p. 591 * ; Anthony, Auk, xv. p. 316 ^ 

 Chamcepelia socorroensis, Sharpe, Hand-1. Birds, i. p. 81 °. 



C. passerincE similis, sed saturate umbrino-brunnea, ga.strseo colore vinaceo satoratiore, subcaudalibus et 

 hypochondriis imis saturate brunneis, dorso concoloribus, et vix dilutius termiaatis, distinguenda. 

 Long, tota circa 5'8, alse 3-3, caudae 2-2, culm. 0'55, tarsi 0*7. (Descr. maris adulti ex Socorro I. 

 Mus. nostr.) 



Hab. Eevillagigedo Is., Socorro I. {Grayson^ ^, Anthony^). 



"When compared with a series of C. j^dsserina, the Socorro bird is at once to be 

 distinguished by its very dark colour ; but in this respect it is somewhat approached 

 by a specimen in our collection from San Jose in Costa Rica {Carmiol). 



3. ChamEepelia minuta. 



Colvmba minuta, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. .285 ' ; Temm. & Knip, Pig. i. (3) p. 28, t. 16 ^ 

 Chamapelia minuta, Salvad. Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxi. p. 481'. 

 Chamapelia amazilia, Bp. Consp. Av. p. 78 ' ; Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 186^!, p. 370 '. 

 Chameepelia granatina, Lawr. (nee Bp.), Ann. Lye. N. Y. vii. p. 333 ^ 



Supra brunnea, vix grisescens ; tectricibus alarum pallidioribus, scapularibus et seouudariis intimis metallice 

 purpureo Lrregulariter uotatis ; ala spuria, tectricibus primariorum remigibusque nigris, his intus castaneis • 



