18 THE KEY WEST PIGEON, OR DOVE. 



Columba Montana, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 281. 



Key West Pigeon, Columba montana, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 382. 



Male, llf, 17^. 



Key West only during summer. Not rare. 



Adult Male. 



Bill straight, of ordinary length, rather slender, broader than-deep at the 

 base, compressed toward the end; upper mandible with a tumid fleshy 

 covering at the base, a convex declinate obtuse tip, and a slight sinus in the 

 sharp margins; lower mandible with the angle near the extremity, which is 

 compressed and rounded. Nostrils medial, oblique, linear. Head small and 

 compressed, the general form rather robust. Legs short, and of moderate 

 strength; tarsus covered anteriorly with broad scutella, rounded behind; 

 toes scutellate, free, margined; claws rather small, arched, compressed, 

 marginate, obtuse. 



Plumage compact on the back, elsewhere blended with strong but dis- 

 united barbs. Wings of ordinary length; second quill longest, first inter- 

 mediate between the fourth and fifth. First four primaries more or less cut 

 out on the outer web, towards the end. Tail much rounded, of twelve 

 broad rounded feathers. 



Bill horn-colour at the end, the fleshy parts at the base bright carmine. 

 Iris and margins of the eye-lids carmine. Feet flesh-coloured, the scutella 

 of the tarsus and toes carmine. Forehead and a band running behind the 

 eye light reddish-brown; upper part of the head shining with purplish-brown 

 and light green reflections, as is the back of the neck. The general colour 

 of the upper parts is brownish-red, the wing-coverts and margins of the 

 quills and tail shaded with green, the fore part of the back splendent with 

 purple reflections. There is a broad white band from the lower mandible 

 beneath the eye, and the throat is of the same colour; under the subocular 

 white band is another of the same colour as the forehead. The fore-neck 

 and breast are of a rich but delicate pale purple, which fades into cream- 

 colour behind. Under surface of the wings and tail of the same colour as 

 the upper, but fainter. 



Length llf inches, extent of wings 17^; bill along the back |§, along the 

 edge 1 inch; tarsus 1 T \, middle-toe T %; weight 6 ounces. 



Adult Female. 



The female resembles the male, the tints being merely fainter, and the 

 gloss of the neck and back less splendent. 



The plants represented in this plate grew on Key West, in sheltered 

 situations. That with purple flowers is a convolvulus, the other an ipomasa. 

 The blossoms are partially closed at night, and although ornamental, are 

 destitute of odour. 



