SEVEN NEW WHITE-WINGED DOVES 



5 



of the gonads and the much smaller amount of fat in the residents. 



In the following comparisons of specimens, males are referred 

 to unless females are specified. In general, males show more racial 

 differences in dimensions, as well as color, than do females, and 

 consequently are of greater value for taxonomic study. 



In the original determination of taxonomic differences in any 

 migratory animal it is essential to use specimens that are represent- 

 ative of breeding populations. It would be desirable to have more 

 specimens in fresh plumage for comparison, but by the time the 

 postnuptial molt is completed, considerable migration away from the 

 breeding ground may have occurred, and specimens taken together 

 at that time may represent two or more subspecies. Therefore, the 

 descriptions of these seven new races are based on specimens in 

 breeding condition, with due consideration of adventitious effects of 

 wear and fading. In contrast, the type specimen of australis, taken at 

 Cerro Santa Maria, Costa Rica, January 9, 1908, (Peters, 1913) 

 is in fine, fresh plumage, so it is not directly comparable with 

 specimens in breeding plumage. It should be noted that no breeding 

 white-winged doves have been reported from that locality. This is an 

 example of doubtful situations which can arise from using w^intering 

 or freshly molted specimens in original descriptions. 



NEW RACES 



The series of white-winged doves from the Mexican States of Yucatan, 

 Campeche, and Quintana Roo examined in this study exhibits con- 

 siderable variation. It includes some wintering birds with dimensions 

 and coloration of typical asiatica and others that were smaller and 

 mostly paler. Fifteen of these birds which were collected by Gaumer 

 have no date, and many of them have no locality other than "Yuca- 

 tan." However, the general season during which they were obtained 

 could be determined by molt and wear of the plumage. When the 

 specimens were sorted according to season, it was found that almost 

 all of those in worn breeding plumage had shorter wings and tails than 

 typical specimens of asiatica in comparable plumage. Field study 

 and this review of specimens have shown that the breeding population 

 of the above area is a distinct subspecies which may be called: 



Zenaida asiatica peninsulas^ new subspecies 

 Yucatan White-winged Dove 



CHARACTERS 



Nearest to Z. a. asiatica but with shorter wings and tail. In breed- 

 ing plumage the back averages slightly paler and grayer than that 

 of most specimens of asiatica seen. The crown of the male is paler 

 and a lighter purple, and in some specimens is more suffused with 



