NORTHWESTERlSr MEXICO. 305 



207. Chcmiepelia pallescens Baird. 



" " Proc. Bost. Soc. of N. H., xiv., p. 300. 



Mazatlan, Tres Marias, Socorro, Grayson. 



"In Western Mexico, and particularly the Mazatlan region, it is move abundant than in any other locality, 

 frequenting the brushy and grassy districts, especially old fields, where the rank weeds furnish them with 

 the small seeds upon which they feed. Their flight is strong and rapid, and when first started from cover 

 their wings produce a whirring sound, almost equal to the quail. They do not associate in flocks, but are 

 found scattered singly or in pairs ; in like manner they migrate from one place to another, more frequently 

 solitary. The flesh constitutes a delicate morceau for the breakfast table, as it is white and juicy, but they are 

 seldom shot for this purpose, being too small for the waste of ammunition, or the trouble of preparing 

 them for the table." 



208. Scardafella inca (Less.). 

 Mazatlan, Grayson. 



"I found this little species also in Guadalajara and Tepic; it is distributed throughout Western Mexico 

 generally, and a constant resident." 



209. Melopelia leucoptera (Linn.). 

 Mazatlan, Grayson ; Colima, Xantus. 



"Among the varieties of doves which I have found inhabiting Western Mexico and its islands, the White- 

 wing Dove is one of the most common and numerous. Occasionally they may be seen in considerable flocks 

 visiting the cornfields, for the purpose of picking up grains of corn, for which it shows a decided partiality, 

 although its chief means of subsistence consists of small seeds and berries. The white of the wing, as well 

 as its size, renders it conspicuous game, and a kind that can always be readily found by the hunter in the 

 woods or fields, and easily procured. They are distributed over the greater part of Western Mexico, espec- 

 ially the tierra caliente region. I found it very abundant in Tehuantepec, and it is doubtless found much 

 farther southward ; northward it extends into Sonera. The cooing of this dove is loud, and considerably 

 varied; it is not so plaintive as that of most of the genus. Their nests are formed of small dry twigs, loosely 

 put together on the horizontal branches of trees, at a moderate height from the ground, usually in an exposed 

 and careless manner. The male assists in incubation, and they rear two or three broods in a season, but this 

 is not common. They are sometimes domesticated by the natives, and become very tame and familiar ; but 

 if their wings are sufiered to grow, they soon wander ofi" and mix with the wild ones." 



210. Leptoptila albifrons Bp. 



« « Proc. Bost. Soc. of N. H., xiv., p. 274. 



Mazatlan, Tres Marias, Grayson. 



« This ' ground dove,' as its name indicates, is usually met with upon the ground in search of its food, or 

 sometimes resting upon low branches, or old logs, and always in the thickest woods, out of which they are 

 seldom seen. It walks and runs with great facility upon the ground, whilst its flight is always low amidst 

 the bushes or underbrash, as if to conceal itself and not long continued, usually alighting upon the ground 

 beneath a massive canopy of underbrush, where it continues to walk or run to elude pursuit, or search for its 

 food. When suddenly started from its retreat, the wings whir, accompanied by a whistling sound, very simi- 

 lar to that of the wood-cock. Its habits are solitary, never congregating into flocks, and only during the 

 breeding season do we ever find a pair together. Difiering fi-om all our American doves, it deposits its eggs 

 upon the ground, forming scarcely any nest ; the eggs are two, and white ; the young soon follow the mother, 

 before being able to fly, like some of the gallinaceous birds." 



MEMOIRS BOST. SOC. NAT. HIST. VOL. II. 77 



