1871.] 275 [Grayson. 



18. ChamaBpelia palleseens Baird. "Little Ground Dove ; 

 Cocochita." 



These birds are not very abundant in the Marias, but upon the 

 main land they are quite common, also found at Cape San Lucas 

 Lower California. 



"On my hasty visit to Socorro Island, I saw several small doves 

 that seemed to be of this variety, but I was unable to procure a 

 specimen, in consequence of a short stay, and sudden departure from 

 that Island. This species, unlike the larger ground dove, builds its 

 nest on the low branch of a bush or cactus. 



"Total length, 7 in.; alar ext., 11 in.; tail, 2.75; bill, brownish 

 black, lighter below; iris, yellow; feet, flesh color; nails brown; 

 tail slightly rounded." 



TUKDID^. 



19. Melanotis eseruleseens (Swain.). "Blue Mocking Bird ; 



Mulato." 



"One of the most abundant as well as interesting song birds of 

 the Marias. They are tame and confiding; allowing persons to 

 approach very near them, often following me in the woods, evincing 

 considerable curiosity, and uttering mimicking cries, and occasionally 

 breaking out into the richest song, awaking the echoes of the silent 

 woods. Like the true mocking bird (Mimus polyglottus) this bird is 

 solitary in his habits, showing great aversion to the companionship of 

 its own species, and combats between them are very frequent. The 

 notes of this bird are full and melodious ; at all seasons of the year 

 the woods are enlivened by its mellow song, and during the spring or 

 love season, it is particularly so. They make excellent cage birds, 

 are easily kept and soon become reconciled to their prison even when 

 taken at an adult age. 



"This bird seems to differ but little from the species on the main 

 land. 



"General appearance, dark slaty blue, lighter on the head and 

 neck, with a black streak in front and around the eye. I have some- 

 times met with specimens in which some of the feathers of the wing 

 and rump had changed to pure white, giving them a singular and 

 unnatural pied appearance. 



"I saw one that was nearly white. The black bill, which is gently 

 curved and rather slender, is about as long as the head. $ Total 

 length, 10 in.; — extent of outstretched wings, 13 in.; tail, broad, 

 graduated or rounded, 4.5 in. 



