624 
PIGEON TRIBE. 
still said to be paired for life. At this time the male is 
remarkable for his assiduous and affectionate address, 
rustling with the wings, billing, and cooing, with various 
gallant evolutions. They commonly quench their thirst 
at a single draught, at the same time immerging the bill 
into the water. They have no song, or other note than 
their plaintive and monotonous coo. Species are found 
to inhabit all climates, but they are most numerous in 
warm countries. 
PIGEONS. (Columba, L.) 
The character of the genus similar with that of the order. 
Subgenus. — Columba. ( Temm . Bonap.) 
The bill moderately robust, straight, aad turgid at tip. Tarsus 
rather short. Wings long and acute ; the 1st primary somewhat 
shorter than the 2d, which is longest. 
These live in wooded countries, building in trees or hollow trunks, 
the nest of twigs, leaves, feathers, and similar substances. Flight 
rapid and sonorous. 
j- Tail short and even , consisting of 12 feathers. 
BAND-TAILED PIGEON. 
(■ Columba fasciata , Say, Bonap. Am. Orn. i. p. 77. pi. 8. fig. 3. 
Phil. Museum, No. 4938.) 
Sp. Charact. — Purplish-grey ; a white band behind the head ; tail 
with a broad blackish bar near the middle ; bill yellow, black at 
tip. 
The male bird, from which the description is taken by 
the Prince of Musignano, was, it appears, shot in July 
by Mr. Titian Peale, near a saline spring, on a small 
tributary of the river Platte, within the first range of the 
Rocky Mountains ; a second individual, probably the 
mate, was seen with it. Of its manners nothing is known, 
though, from the season of the year/it is probable that 
the pair had commenced incubation in the vicinity. 
