388 APPENDIX 



134. Inca Dove. — Scardafella inca. 



Upper parts grayish brown ; lower parts ashy lilac in front ; rich 

 chestnut on wings ; outer tail feathers tipped with white ; scaled ap- 

 pearance due to black marks on feathers. Often called scaled dove. 

 Length, 8 in. ; wing, 35^ in.; tail, 4 in. 



Hab. — Arizona and Texas, Rio Grande Valley, south to Central 

 America. 



Note. — The distribution of the pigeons and doves in North America is some- 

 what similar to that of the partridges. We have observed that only one partridge 

 (Bob-*hite) has a general distribution over a large area, and that the remaining 

 partridges (the blue and scaled partridges) are distributed over a comparatively 

 small area in the Southwest and on the Pacific Coast There are twelve pig- 

 eons and doves in North America. Only one dove (the mourning dove) and 

 one pigeon (the passenger) were of general distribution. The other pigeons 

 and doves are found on the Pacific Coast and in the Southwestern States, and 

 (a few of them) in Southern Florida and the Florida Keys. There are several 

 blue pigeons and one scaled dove (the Inca dove) which has a scaled appear- 

 ance caused by the black feather markings like those of the scaled partridge. 

 The scaled partridge and the scaled dove are both found in Texas. 



In the South and West doves are sometimes baited. Food is distributed 

 daily in a certain field, and when the doves are in the habit of resorting to this 

 field they are shot from ambush as they fly in and out. The baiting of doves is 

 prohibited by law in Georgia and perhaps elsewhere. 



135. Bobolink, — Dolichonyx oryzivorus. 

 Reed-bird, Rice-bird. 



Male. — General color in spring black ; nape yellowish brown , 

 patch on side of breast, the scapulars, and rump white ; bill blue-black. 

 Length, 7X in. ; wing, 3^ in. In autumn resembles female. 



Female. — Yellowish beneath ; two stripes on top of head and upper 

 parts throughout, including wings, except back of neck and rump dark 

 brown feathers edged with brownish yellow. 



Hab. — Eastern United States to Western plains. South to West 

 Indies in winter. North to Southern Canada. 



(a) Western Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus albinuchc^. 

 Hab. — Dakota, westward to Utah and Nevada, north to Manitoba. 



Note. — " There are no reed-birds in California, but a dozen species of spar- 

 rows and finches masquerade as such " — Year Book, Department of Agritult- 

 ure, 1899. 



Many sparrows and other small birds are sold as reed-birds in the Eastern 

 markets. 



