25 



Genus III.— ECTOPISTES, Swains. LONG-TAILED DOVE. 



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

 base, with a tumid fleshy covering, compressed toward the end. Head 

 small, oblong; neck of moderate length; body rather slender. Feet short; 

 tarsus as short as the hind toe and claw, anteriorly scutellate; outer toe 

 slightly shorter than inner; claws rather short, stout, arched, obtuse. 

 Plumage compact above; blended, but firm beneath. Wings long; first 

 and second quills longest, and about equal. Tail long, cuneate, pointed. 

 Digestive organs as in the preceding genus. 



THE PASSENGER PIGEON. 



7 ECTOPISTES MIGRATORIA, LhlTl. 



PLATE CCLXXXV.— Male and Female. 



The Passenger Pigeon, or, as it is usually named in America, the Wild 

 Pigeon, moves with extreme rapidity, propelling itself by quickly repeated 

 flaps of the wings, which it brings more or less near to the body, according 

 to the degree of velocity which is required. Like the Domestic Pigeon, it 

 often flies, during the love season, in a circling manner, supporting itself 

 with both wings angularly elevated, in which position it keeps them until it 

 is about to alight. Now and then, during these circular flights, the tips of 

 the primary quills of each wing are made to strike against each other, 

 producing a smart rap, which may be heard at a distance of thirty or forty 

 yards. Eefore alighting, the Wild Pigeon, like the Carolina Parrot and a 

 few other species of birds, breaks the force of its flight by repeated flappings, 

 as if apprehensive of receiving injury from coming too suddenly into 

 contact with the branch or the spot of ground on which it intends to settle. 



