15 



GROUND DOVE. 

 COLUMBA PASSERINA. 

 [Plate XLVL— Fig. 2, Male—Yi^. 3, Female.'] 



LiNTf. Sijst, 285. — SioAF. Jam, 11. 305. — he CocoiA^ Fernande%f 24. — ^Buff. II, 559. PL ewL 243.-^ 

 La petite Tourtellef Bmss. II, 113. — Turt. Syst. 478.— Colitm&a minuta, Ihid. p. 479. — tB.rct. Zool* 

 p. 328, ,?V*o. 191.— Catesb. I, 26. 



THIS is one of the least of the Pigeon tribe, whose timid and 

 innocent appearance forms a very striking contrast to the ferocity 

 of the Bird-killer of the same plate. Such as they are in nature*, 

 such I have endeavored faithfully to represent them. I have been 

 the more particular with this minute species as no correct figure 

 of it exists in any former work with which I am acquainted. 



The Ground Dove is a native of North and South Carolina, 

 Georgia, the new state of Louisiana, Florida, and the islands of the 

 West Indies. In the latter it is frequently kept in cages; is es- 

 teemed excellent for the table, and honored by the French plan- 

 ters with the name of Ortolan. They are numerous in the sea 

 islands on the coast of Carolina and Georgia; fly in flocks or co- 

 veys of fifteen or twenty; seldom visit the woods, preferring open 

 fields and plantations ; are almost constantly on the ground, and 

 when disturbed fly to a short distance and again alight. They 

 have a frequent jetting motion with the tail; feed on rice, various 

 seeds and berries, particularly those of the Tooth-ache tree,* under 

 or near which, in the proper season, they are almost sure to be 

 found. Of their nest or manner of breeding I am unable, at pre- 

 sent, to give any account. 



* Xanthoxylum Clava Iterciilis. 



