PIGEONS 



318. White-fronted Dove. 



Leptotila fuiviventris hrachyptera. 



Range. — Mexico and Central America north 

 to southern Texas. 



Slightly larger than the last, much paler be- 

 low, with no black ear mark as in the two pre- 

 ceding species, and with the forehead whitish. 

 They build their nests of sticks, grasses and 

 weeds, and place them in tangled vines and 

 thickets a few feet from the ground. Their 

 two eggs, which are laid in May and June, 

 have a creamy white or buffy color. Size 1.15 

 X .85. They canot be called a common species 

 within our borders. 



319. White-winged Dove. 



Melopelia asiatica. 



Range. — Central Am- 

 erica, Mexico and the 

 southwestern border of 

 the United States. 



This species is 12 in- 

 ches in length, has a 

 black patch on the ear 

 coverts, white tips to 

 the greater and lesser 

 coverts and some of the 

 secondaries, and broad 

 white tips to the outer tail feathers, which are black. This species is very 

 abundant in some localities within our borders. Their nests are very frail plat- 

 forms of twigs placed in trees or bushes or precariously suspended among 

 tangled vines. Their two eggs are wliite or creamy white, and measure 

 1.15 X. 85 



Wliite-f ronted Do\ e 



White-winged Dove 



White 



:i'iO. Ground Dove. CuluinhigulUna passerina terrestiis. 



Range. — South Atlantic and Gulf States to eastern Texas. 



The Ground Doves are the smallest of the family, measuring but about 6.5 

 inches in length. Their nesting habits and eggs are exactly iike those of the 

 next to be described. They are very abundant, especially along the South At- 

 lantic coast. 



520a. 



J\Ie,\ican Ground Dove, Chcemepelia passerinus pallescens. 



Range. — Border of the United States from Texas to southern 

 California and southward. 



This paler sub-species builds a nest of twigs and weeds, 

 placing the flat structure either in low bushes or on the 

 ground. Their two white eggs are laid during April to July, 

 they sometimes rearing two broods a season. Size of eggs. 

 .85 X.65. 



White 



320b. BERMUD.-i Ground Dove. Chcemepelia passerina hermudiana. 



Range. — Bermuda. Smaller and paler than the last; otherwise the same in 

 nesting habits and eggs. 



195 



