209 
COPPER-COLOURED GROUND DOVE. 
Perisiera Martinicd. 
PLATE XXV. 
Columba Martinica, Auct. — Columbe-Galline rouxviolet, 
Temm. Pig. 8vo, p. 400 Columba cuprea, Wagler, Syst. 
Av. sp. 76. 
In form, as well as in its habits, this species of 
Ground Dove approaches so near to some of the 
Tetraonidse, as to have acquired in the West Indies 
tlie name of the Mountain Partridge. It inhabits 
elevated and rocky districts, where it runs with 
great quickness, emulating in this respect the typi- 
cal Rasores. Its legs are long as compared with 
those of the Pigeons, and are bare a little above the 
tarsal joint, characters indicative of its terrene habits ; 
its wings are also short and rounded, and the tail 
not so long as that of the species already described. 
Its flight is consequently low, and by quick repeated 
strokes of the pinions, like that of the Common Par- 
tridge or Pheasant. It lives constantly upon the 
ground, except during the time of repose, when it 
perches upon the lowest limbs, or the stump of a 
decayed tree. In its mode of nidification and breed- 
VOL. IX. 
o 
