WILD PIGEONS AND DOVES ns 



blue skin about the eyes. It is sensitive to cold, but if kept 

 warm in winter lives very well. Young were reared in the 

 New York Zoological Park in 1914. 



The Ground Dove (Chcemepelia passerina terrestris) is 

 the smallest of our doves. It is a familiar bird in the south- 

 ern states, where it is abundant among the grain fields and 

 stubble. It is long-lived but exceedingly quarrelsome in cap-: 

 tivity. There are records of its having bred in captivity 

 in this country, and the feat has many times been accom- 

 plished in European aviaries. 



Of South American species, the Quail Doves are the 

 most interesting, although they are seldom to be obtained. 

 The only species which is at all common is the Ruddy or 

 Mountain (Geotrygon montana), which has a very wide 

 distribution in Mexico, South America and the West In- 

 dies. It is gentle and quiet by nature, and is likely to be 

 bullied by more active birds. It is almost entirely terrestrial 

 in habit, seldom leaving the ground. This is one of the 

 few birds of the order in which the sexes are differently 

 colored, the cock being a rich light chestnut, while the hen 

 is dull brown. 



The most striking of the Old World species is the Bleed- 

 iNG-^EART Pigeon {Phlogoenas luzonica), from the island 

 of Luzon, in the Philippines. It is a bird of medium size, 

 with well-developed legs, suited to its ground-haunting 

 habits. Above it is bluish, with dark wing bars. The breast 

 is white, and bears in its center the deep crimson patch 

 from which it takes its name. The center of this stain is 

 of a darker shade, and the feathers here are thick and stiff, 

 perfecting one of the most remarkable effects known among 

 birds. 



The; Bleeding-heart Pigeon lives well in captivity, being 

 bright and active. It is inclined to be aggressive, two cocks 

 seldom agreeing. It has been bred on many occasions. 



