12 THE ZENAIDA DOVE. 



until placed under the care of a pair of common tame Pigeons, which at once 

 fostered them. 



The cooing of this species so much resembles that of the Carolina Dove, 

 that, were it not rather soft, and heard in a part of the world where the 

 latter is never seen, you might easily take it for the notes of that bird. 

 Morning is the time chosen by the Zenaida Dove to repeat her tender tales 

 of love, which she does while perched on the low large branch of some tree, 

 but never from the ground. Heard in the wildest solitudes of the Keys, 

 these notes never fail to remind one that he is in the presence and under the 

 protection of the Almighty Creator. 



During mid-day, when the heat is almost insufferable in the central parts 

 of the Keys resorted to by these birds, they are concealed and mute. The 

 silence of such a place at noon is extremely awful. Not a breath of air is 

 felt, nor an insect seen, and the scorching rays of the sun force every ani- 

 mated being to seek for shelter and repose. 



From what I have said of the habits of the Zenaida Dove, you may easily 

 conceive how difficult a task it is to procure one. I have had full experience 

 of the difficulty, and entire satisfaction in surmounting it, for in less than an 

 hour, with the assistance of Captain Day, I shot nineteen individuals, the 

 internal and external examination of which enabled me to understand some- 

 thing of their structure. 



The flesh is excellent, and they are generally very fat. They feed on 

 grass seeds, the leaves of aromatic plants, and various kinds of berries, not 

 excepting those of a tree which is extremely poisonous, — so much so, that if 

 the juice of it touch the skin of a man, it destroys it like aquafortis. Yet 

 these berries do not injure the health of the birds, although they render their 

 flesh bitter and unpalatable for a time. For this reason, the fishermen and 

 wreckers are in the habit of examining the crops of the Doves previous to 

 cooking them. This, however, only takes place about the time of their 

 departure from the Keys, in the beginning of October. They add particles 

 of shell or gravel to their food. 



From my own observations, and the report of others, I am inclined to 

 believe that they raise only two broods each season. The young, when yet 

 unfledged, are of a deep leaden or purplish-grey colour, the bill and legs 

 black, nor is it until the return of spring that they attain their full plumage. 

 The male is larger than the female, and richer in the colouring of its 

 plumage. Their feathers fall off at the slightest touch, and like all other 

 Pigeons, when about to die, they quiver their wings with great force. 



The eggs of this species measure one inch and a quarter in length, by 

 nearly seven-eighths in breadth; and are abruptly pointed at the smaller end. 

 I am informed by the Earl of Derby that this Pigeon is raised with ease in 



