lO 
PIGEON TRIBE. 
on the ground, on the large branches of trees, or even on 
slender twigs. On the 20th of May it will contain two white 
eggs, almost translucent. In July these pigeons come out of 
the thickets in flocks of all ages, and frequenting the roads to 
dust themselves, are then easily procured and considered good 
food. They feed chiefly on berries and seeds, and particularly 
the sea-grape. They depart for Cuba or the other West India 
islands about the middle of October. 
This species is now rarely seen on Key West; an adult male, 
shot in 1889 by Mr. J. W. Atkins, was the only example encoun- 
tered by that keen observer in three years of careful field-work. 
j^OTE. — A specimen of the Ruddy Quail-dove {Geotrygon 
inontaiia) was captured on Key West in December, 1888, the 
first taken within the borders of North America. 
ZENAIDA DOVE. 
ZeNAIDA ZENAIDA. 
Char. Above, olive gray with a red tinge ; top of head and under 
parts purplish red; neck with metallic reflections; a black patch on 
wing-coverts ; tail with terminal band of black tipped with white. Length 
about 10 inches. 
Nest. In low bush ; a slight affair of fine twigs. The nests are some- 
times placed on the sand and concealed by tufts of grass, and these 
ground-nests arc compactly built of leaves and grass. 
Eggs. 2; white ; 1.20 X 0.95. 
This beautiful little species inhabits the Keys of Florida, but 
is rare. Individuals have been found in the neighboring island 
of Cuba. They keep much on the ground, where they dust 
themselves and swallow gravel to assist digestion. When rising 
on the wing, the same whistling noise is heard from the motion 
of their wings, as is the case of the common Carolina lurtle 
Dove. 
