SPECIES 3. COLUMBA PASSERINE. 
GROUND DOVE. 
[Plate XL VI. — Fig. 2, Male — Fig. 3, Feniale.'\ 
Linn. SysU 285. — Sloan. Jam. ii. 305. — Le Cocotzin, Fernandez, 
24. — Buff, ii, 559. PI. Enl. 243. — La petite Tourterelle, Briss. 
I, 113. — Turt. Syst. 478. — Columba minuta, Ibid, p.479 .* — 
Jlrct. Zool.p. 328, JSTo. 191. — Catesb. i, 26.t 
This is one of the least of the Pigeon tribe, whose timid 
and innocent appearance forms a very striking contrast to the 
ferocity of the Bird-killer of the same plate. Such as they are 
in nature, such I have endeavoured faithfully to represent them. 
I have been the more particular with this minute species, as no 
correct figure of it exists in any former work with which I am 
acquainted. 
The Ground Dove is a native of North and South Carolina, 
Georgia, the new state of Louisiana, Florida, and the islands of 
the West Indies. In the latter it is frequently kept in cages; is 
esteemed excellent for the table, and honoured by the French 
planters with the name of Ortolan. They are numerous in the 
sea islands on the coast of Carolina and Georgia; fly in flocks 
or coveys of fifteen or twenty; seldom visit the woods, prefer- 
ring open fields and plantations; are almost constantly on the 
ground, and when disturbed fly to a short distance and again 
alight. They have a frequent jetting motion with the tail; feed 
on rice, various seeds and berries, particularly those of the 
Tooth-ache tree,t under or near which, in the proper season, 
they are almost sure to be found. Of their nest or manner of 
breeding I am unable, at present, to give any account. 
♦Prince Musignano considers this synonyme is incorrect. 
f Columba Passerina, Lath. Ind. Orn.p. 611, JVo. 67. C. minuta, id. p. 612, Ah 68. 
t Xanthoxylum Clava Herculis. 
