THE BIRD BOOK 



PIGEONS AND DOVES. Order XI. COLUMB^ 

 Family COLUMBIDAE 



Pigeons and doves are distributed throughout nearly every temperate and 

 tropical country on the globe, nearly five hundred species being known, of 

 which twelve occur within our limits. Their plumage is generally soft and 

 subdued colors, the head small, the wings strong and the flight rapid. 



31 i!. Band-tailed Pigeon. Columba fasciata fasciata. 



Range. — The Rocky Mountains and westward to the Pacific, from British 

 Columbia south to Mexico. 



This large species may be generally recognized ,.^^^»..„^ 



by the white crescent on the nape; it is about 15 ,.^_ 



inches in length. They nest abundantly on the ■ ' '^^ 



mountain ranges, sometimes in large flocks, and j '\ 



again, only a few pairs together. Their nests are j j 



rude platforms of sticks and twigs either in bushes \ . 

 or in large trees in heavily wooded districts. The " . 

 two eggs which are laid during May or June arc 



pure white in color, and like those of all the t^^SS*^ 



pigeons, equally rounded at each end. Size 

 1.55x1.10. White 



31iia. Viosca's Pigeon. ColumJui fasciata viosco'. 



Range. — Southern Lower California. Tliis is a paler variety of the preceding 

 species and is not noticeably different in its habits, nesting or eggs. 



SIS. Red-billed Pigeon. Columba fiavirostris. 



Range. — Mexico and Central America, north to southern Texas, Arizona and 

 New Mexico. 



This species, characterized by its red bill, purplish colored head, neck and 

 breast and absence of iridescent markings, is abundant in the valley of the 

 Lower Rio Grande, where they build their frail nests in thickets and low bushes, 

 and during May and June lay their white eggs. Size of eggs, 1.55 x 1.05. 



314. White-crovvnei) Pigeon. Columba leucocephala. 



Range. — Resident of the West Indies; in summer, found on tiie Florida Keys, 

 Tills species, which can be identified by its white crown, nests in trees or man- 

 groves on certain of the Florida Keys, laying its two white eggs on its rude 

 platform of sticks and twigs. Size of eggs 1.40 x 1.05. Nests in April and 

 May. 



[,':il4.1.] Scaled Pigeon. Columba squamosa. 



A West Indian species, a single specimen of which was taken at Key West, 

 Florida. 



A dark colored species, with purplish head, neck and breast; named from the 

 scaly appearance of the iridescent feathers on the sides of the neck. 



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