18 
THE KEY WEST PIGEON, OR DOVE. 
Columba Montana, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 281. 
Key West Pigeon, Columba montana, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 382. 
Male, lit, 17£. 
Key West only during summer. Not rare. 
Adult Male. 
Bill straight, of ordinary length, rather slender, broader than deep at the 
base, compressed toward the end ; upper mandible with a tumid fleshy 
covering at the base, a convex decimate obtuse tip, and a slight sinus in the 
sharp margins ; lower mandible with the angle near the extremity, which is 
compressed and rounded. Nostrils medial, oblique, linear. Head small 
and compressed, the general form rather robust. Legs short, and of mode- 
rate strength ; tarsus covered anteriorly with broad scutella, rcunded 
behind ; toes scutellate, free, margined ; claws rather small, arched, com- 
pressed, marginate, obtuse. 
Plumage compact on the back, elsewhere blended with strong but dis- 
united barbs. Wings of ordinary length ; second quills longest, first inter- 
mediate between the fourth and fifth. First four primaries more or less 
cut out on the outer web, towards the end. Tail much rounded, of twelve 
broad rounded feathers. 
Bill horn-colour at the end, the fleshy parts at the base bright carmine. 
Iris and margins of the eye-lids carmine. Feet flesh-coloured, the scutella 
of the tarsus and toes carmine. Forehead and a band running behind the 
eye light reddish-brown ; upper part of the head shining with purplish- 
brown and light green reflections, as is the back of the neck. The general 
colour of the upper parts is brownish-red, the wing-coverts and margins of 
the quills and tail shaded with green, the fore part of the back splendent 
with purple reflections. There is a broad white band from the lower 
mandible beneath the eye, and the throat is of the same colour ; under the 
subocular white band is another of the same colour as the forehead. The 
fore-neck and breast are of a rich but delicate pale purple, which fades into 
cream colour behind. Under surface of the wings and tail of the same 
colour as the upper, but fainter. 
Length 113 inches, extent of wings 17-^ ; bill along the back along 
the edge 1 inch ; tarsus lfV, middle-toe r % ; weight 6 ounces. 
Adult Female. 
The female resembles the male, the tints being merely fainter, and the 
gloss of the neck and back less splendent. 
The plants represented in this plate grew on Key West, in sheltered 
situations. That with purple flowers is a convolvulus, the other an ipomcea. 
The blossoms are partially closed at night, and although ornamental, are 
destitute of odour. 
I 
