THE BIRD BOOK 
PIGEONS AND DOVES. Order XI. COLUMBA 
Family COLUMBIDAE 
Pigeons and doves are distributed throughout nearly every temperate and 
tropical country on the globe, nearly five hundred species being known, of 
which twelve occur within our limits. Their plumage is generally soft and 
subdued colors, the head small, the wings strong and the flight rapid. 
312. Band-tailed Pigeon. Columba fasciata fasciata. 
Range.— The Rocky Mountains and westward to the Pacific, from British 
Columbia south to Mexico. 
This large species may be generally recognized 
by the white crescent on the nape; it is about 15 
inches in length. They nest abundantly on the 
mountain ranges, sometimes in large flocks, and 
again, only a few pairs together. Their nests are 
rude platforms of sticks and twigs either in bushes 
or in large trees in heavily wooded districts. The 
two eggs which are laid during May or June are 
pure white in color, and like those of all the 
pigeons, equally rounded at each end. Size 
1.55 x 1.10. White 
312a. Viosca’s Pigeon. Columba fasciata vioscce. 
Range. — Southern Lower California. This is a paler variety of the preceding 
species and is not noticeably different in its habits, nesting or eggs. 
313 . Red-billed Pigeon. Columba flavirostris. 
Range. — Mexico and Central America, north to southern Texas, Arizona and 
New Mexico. 
This species, characterized by its red bill, purplish colored head, neck and 
breast and absence of iridescent markings, is abundant in the valley of the 
Lower Rio Grande, where they build their frail nests in thickets and low bushes, 
and during May and June lay their white eggs. Size of eggs, 1.55 x 1.05. 
314 . White-crowned Pigeon. Columba leucocephala. 
Range. — Resident of the West Indies; in summer, found on the Florida Keys. 
This species, which can be identified by its white crown, nests in trees or man- 
groves on certain of the Florida Keys, laying its two white eggs on its rude 
platform of sticks and twigs. Size of eggs 1.40 x 1.05. Nests in April and 
May. 
[ 314 . 1 .] Scaled Pigeon. Columba squamosa. 
A West Indian species, a single specimen of which was taken at Key West, 
Florida. 
A dark colored species, with purplish head, neck and breast; named from the 
scaly appearance of the iridescent feathers on the sides of the neck. 
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