ZENAIDA PIGEON. 
161 
wings, with the first primary somewhat shorter than 
the second, which is the longest. This group (the 
true pigeons and doves) is, however, so numerous in 
species, that we cannot but wonder that it should still 
remain comparatively untouched by the reforming hand 
of our contemporaries ; especially seeing that as good 
reasons may be found for subdividing them as the 
parrots, and other large natural groups. We may 
indicate the differences exhibited in the form of the 
scales covering the tarsus, and the shape of the tail, 
&c. as offering characters on which sections or genera 
could be founded. But as the species of the United 
States, which are those we are to treat of, are but few, 
we shall leave the promising task to any one whose 
researches may lead him to engage in it ; and shall only 
observe, that the two species described by Wilson 
belong to a different group from the three we have 
since introduced into the Fauna of this country. Of 
these the present beautiful dove is the only one hitherto 
undescribed. 
This new and charming little species inhabits the 
Florida keys with the preceding, but is much more 
rare. We have also received it from Cuba, and noticed 
a specimen in a collection of skins sent from that island 
by Mr MacLeay to the Zoological Societj^ of London. 
They are fond of being on the ground, where they 
are most commonly observed dusting themselves, and 
seeking for the gravel, wdiich, like the gallinaceous 
birds, they swallow to assist digestion. When flushed, 
they produce the same whistling noise with their wings 
as the common turtle dove, Columba carolinensis . 
The Zenaida dove measures ten inches in length. 
The bill is somewhat more robust than that of the 
common dove, but otherwise perfectly similar, less than 
an inch long, black, the corners of the mouth being 
lake ; the irides are dark browm, the pupil of the eye 
large, and the eye itself full, giving the w'hole bird a 
mild and pleasing expression ; the naked orbits are of 
a bluish gray. The whole plumage above is yellowish 
ashy brown,, tinged with vinaceous on the crown, and 
VOL. IV. l 6 
