Nests in Trees, Bushae, or Vinac 



Part II.-NESTS IN TREES, BUSHES, OR 



VINES 



314. White-crowned Pigeon: Columba leucocephala 



Linn. 



Adult 3 — Dark slate colour, with iridescent feathers on the neck; 



front of crown pure white. 

 Adult ? — Dull slate colour ; wings tinged with brownish ; the 



crown dull white. Length — 13.50. 

 Breeding Range — The keys of southern Florida, including Key 



West. 



The nest is placed in bushes or trees, and is a more ambi- 

 tious structure than is usual with pigeons ; it is made of sticks, 

 without lining. 2 pure white eggs are laid. Size — 1.41 x 1.02. 



This pigeon is easily recognised by its dark colour and white 

 forehead ; throughout the West Indies it is fairly abundant, and 

 is used greatly as an article of food, the flesh being considered a 

 luxury, especially during the pimento (allspice) season. These 

 birds are usually gregarious during the breeding season, many 

 nests being built in a single tree. 



315. Passenger Pigeon: Ectopistes migratorius (Linn.) 



Adult 3 — Upper parts slate colour, tinged in parts with brown, 

 with iridescent feathers on the neck ; under parts purplish 

 or pinkish buff, shading into white on the belly ; tail long 

 and rather pointed. 



Adult $ — Upper parts more brownish ; breast more grayish 

 brown, and belly dull white. Length — 16.29. 



Breeding Range — Very local, probably "from northern Maine to 

 northern Minnesota." Perhaps now more common in Mich- 

 igan and the Red River country than elsewhere. 



The nest is loosely made of sticks and placed in a tree, i or 

 2 white eggs are laid. Size — 1.48 x 1.04. 



These pigeons, once so numerous that they were netted in 

 thousands, are now nearly extinct, but few having been seen dur- 

 ing the past five years. 



132 



