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Genus III.— ECTOPISTES, Swains. LONG-TAILED DOVE. 
Bill straight, of ordinary length, rather slender, broader than high at the 
base, with a tumid fleshy covering, compressed toward the end. Head 
small, oblong ; neck of moderate length ; body rather slender. Feet short ; 
tarsus as short as the hind toe and claw, anteriorly scutellate : outer toe 
slightly shorter than inner ; claws rather short, stout, arched, obtuse. 
Plumage compact above ; blended, but firm beneath. Wings long; first 
and second quills longest, and about equal. Tail long, cuneate, pointed. 
Digestive organs as in the preceding genus. 
THE PASSENGER PIGEON. 
v 
Ectopistes migratoria, Linn . 
PLATE CCLXXXV. — Male and Female. 
The Passenger Pigeon, or, as it is usually named in America, the Wild 
Pigeon, moves with extreme rapidity, propelling itself by quickly repeated 
flaps of the wings, which it brings more or less near to the body, according 
to the degree of velocity which is required. Like the Domestic Pigeon, it 
often flies, during the love season, in a circling manner, supporting itself 
with both wings angularly elevated, in which position it keeps them until it 
is about to alight. Now and then, during these circular flights, the tips of 
the primary quills of each wing are made to strike against each other, 
producing a smart rap, which may be heard at a distance of thirty or forty 
yards. Before alighting, the Wild Pigeon, like the Carolina Parrot and a. 
few other species of birds, breaks the force of ito flight by repeated flappings, 
as if apprehensive of receiving injury from coming too suddenly into 
contact with the branch or the spot of ground on which it intends to settle. 
