Grayson.] 274 [June 7, 



plant. The entrance of the nest was beautifully rounded, and about 

 twelve feet from the ground. This tall, slender, smooth stem, not 

 more than four inches in diameter, with its soft, spongy wood, 

 afforded a convenient material to work out the nest, as well as a sure 

 protection against the raccoon or other intruders, the long spear 

 shaped leaves armed with spines at the root, preventing the possibil- 

 ity of a near approach to it from the ground without some labor of 

 cutting them away. 



"They both evinced a great deal of uneasiness at my presence. 

 As I had no instrument however, to cut away the dagger shaped 

 leaves of the maguey, I left them with their well fortified domicil." 



COLUMBIDiE. 



16. Leptoptila -albifrons Bp. "The Ground Pigeon; 

 Palomo." 



"This dove seems to be identical with the species found through- 

 out entire Western Mexico, and is very abundant in the Marias. It 

 is commonly found upon the ground, in the thickest part of the 

 woods ; it also lays its eggs upon the ground, with but little preten- 

 sion to forming a nest. It is entirely solitary in its habits, rambling 

 about in the woods in search of various kinds of seed upon which it 

 subsists, and occasionally uttering its peculiar coo oo rr. 



"Our table was often well supplied with this delicious game. The 

 flesh is nearly as white as that of the quail, very tender and juicy." 



17. Columba fiavirostris (Wagl.). "The Blue Pigeon ; Pata- 

 gonia." 



"This is the largest of our pigeons, and abundant in the Marias, 

 as well as in some localities on the main land. It is gregarious and 

 frequents large forests, feeding upon various kinds of berries, acorns, 

 etc., etc. It migrates from one part of the country to another in 

 small flocks. In some seasons of the year the flesh of this bird has 

 a bitter, disagreeable taste, caused by some species of berry or small 

 bitter acorn upon which it subsists. 



" Total length of male, 14.5 ; alar ext. 24 in. ; tail, 5.5 ; tarsus. 

 1-5; middle to end claw, 1.5; bill, white at tip, red at base; space 

 around the eye red ; feet, purplish red. 



"General appearance. Slaty blue, tinged upon the lesser wing 

 coverts and upper part of neck and back with rufous, with slight 

 metallic lustre, second and third primary longest; — tail slightly 

 rounded and broad." 



