140 
BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 
ing ashy on the sides; under wing-coverts and quills showing red- 
dish brown , the latter margined and tipped with dark brown ; mid- 
dle tail-feathers like the back, the others dark brown ; two outer 
feathers tipped with white; upper surface of wing showing large 
spots of bluish-purple ; bill and feet yellowish, the former becom- 
ing dark at the tip. 
Length 6.30, wing 3.30, tail 2.60, tarsus .50, bill .50. 
This graceful little Dove is a resident, and very abundant every- 
where. While walking through a pineapple plantation, I have been 
astonished at the quantity of these birds which were constantly flying 
about. They are very tame, and often allowed me to approach 
within a few feet of them without showing any signs of alarm. Their 
food consists of seeds and many kinds of small berries. I have often 
watched them dusting themselves in the warm sand of the road, 
after the manner of our farm-yard fowls, seeming to enjoy it greatly. 
Incubation commences about May 15. A nest taken at the Mira- 
porvos, May 27, contained two eggs, which were quite fresh. It was 
simply a little mat of grass, loosely put together, placed upon the 
ground in an open space, concealed only by short marsh-grass, barely 
high enough to hide the bird when sitting upon the nest. The 
eggs are white. 
Fig. Aud. Bds. N. A., Vol. V. pi. 283. 
