ZENAIDA DOVE— CARRIER PIGEON 131 



rived from the mournful call of the male, which may 

 be heard for a considerable distance. The Zenaida 

 is a somewhat smaller form, closely resembling the 

 foregoing, but has a square instead of pointed tail. 

 It was formerly found in considerable numbers in 

 summer off the coast of Florida. 



The White-winged Dove inhabits the southern part 

 of the United States and ranges through the West 

 Indies and Central America. It is distinguished by 

 the white wing-coverts and a wide black mark below 

 the ear. 



A large species found in the Western States is the 

 Band-tailed Pigeon. It is greyish above, white below, 

 has a white band at the back of the neck and a dark 

 band across the tail. 



The Carrier is a species in which the natural power 

 of flight and the homirlg instinct have been greatly 

 developed. It is also sometimes called the Homing 

 Pigeon, from the practical certainty with which it 

 returns to its roosting-place after being carried away. 

 The rate of speed attained by these birds has been 

 closely determined, and it is known that the trip from 

 London to Edinburgh has been made by them in con- 

 siderably less time than is taken by the fastest express 

 trains. But this speed, while very great, is doubtless 

 excelled by that of many other species of wild birds 

 whose habits are not so well known. As might be 

 expected, the form of the Carrier Pigeon is long and 

 trim, and the wing- and tail-feathers are greatly 

 lengthened. A curious abnormal development is the 

 bare skin above the beak and around the eyes. 



A well-known and graceful domestic variety is the 



