KEY WEST QUAIL DOVE. 
PARTRIDGE PIGEON. 
Geotrygon MARTINICA. 
Char. Above, reddish purple, the neck and head with metallic reflec- 
tions of green ; below, pale vinaceous, fading to white on chin, and to 
buff on under tail-coverts ; white of chin extends below the eyes. Length 
about II inches. 
In low branches, sometimes on the ground ; made of light 
twigs, 
2; white; 1.40 X i.oo. 
This beautiful species, originally discovered in Jamaica, w’as 
found by Audubon to be a summer resident on the island of 
Key West, near the extremity of East Florida; it retires in 
winter to the island of Cuba. Its flight is low, swift, and 
protracted, keeping in loose flocks or families of from five or 
six to a dozen. These dwell chiefly in the tangled thickets, 
f’ht go out at times to the shore to feed and dust themselves. 
*his bird contracts and spreads out its neck in the usual 
Wanner of Pigeons. Its cooing is not so soft or prolonged as 
fhat of the Common Dove ; the sound resembles whoe whoe- 
°h-oh-oh-oh. When surprised, it gives a guttural, gasping 
sound, somewhat like that of the Common Pigeon in the same 
‘Circumstances. Quail Doves keep usually near shady secluded 
ponds in the 'thickest places, and perch on the low branches 
° the trees. The nest is formed of light dry twigs, sometimes 
