ZENA1DA AMAB1L1S. 
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then further north, when surprised in an open field, they will dart upward into air and will 
not rest contented until they have put considerable distance between themselves and the 
object of their annoyance. These Doves are more or less gregarious, breaking up into pairs, 
however, during the breeding season, at which time they have a peculiarly loud cry con¬ 
sisting of two notes given in a minor tone, and when heard in the wilderness, it has a sin¬ 
gularly mournful effect, especially in coming from a distance, when it somewhat resembles 
one of the plaintive moans of the puma. When rising from the ground, the wings of this 
species produce a whistling sound which is quite noticeable. 
The Carolina Doves breed late in June, placing the nests in bushes in secluded local¬ 
ities. The young appear in due time but do not leave the nest until late in August, when 
they accompany their parents and are fed by them after the manner of all Pigeons, by re¬ 
gurgitation. These birds are migratory and although they may occasionally be seen as 
far north as Massachusetts, the greater portion spend the winter south of this point. 
GENUS II. ZEN AID A. THE SHORT-TAILED DOVES. 
Gen. Ch. Bill, rather short. Tail, rounded and short, not equaling the wings which are moderately long. Tarsus, 
not long. 
Members of this genus have the tail noticeably short. The colors are reddish with no conspicuous markings. There 
has been but one species taken within our limits. 
ZENAIDA AMABILIS. 
Zenaida Dove. 
Zenaida amahilis Bon., List; 1838. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Ch. Form, slender. Size, not large. Tail, short and rounded. Wings, very long. Tarsus, moderately short 
and stout. Sexes, quite similar in color. 
Color. Adult. Above, yellowish-red, overwashed with ashy and becoming purplish on the top of head. Wings, 
dark-brown, with the secondaries tipped with white, and the greater coverts are like the back, but are overwashed with 
bluish. Inner tail feathers, like the back, but the remainder are bluish, tipped with lighter which becomes nearly white on 
the outer webs, and there is a subterminal band of black. Concealed spots on wing coverts, black, but these become more 
visible on scapularies. Under wing coverts, sides, and flanks, bluish-ash. Remaining lower portions, sides of head and 
neck, light reddish-brown, becoming lighter on chin, throat, and abdomen, and fading into bluish-gray on the under tail 
coverts. There is a small black spot, glossed with bluish, behind eye and a larger one cn side of neck, and the sides of 
neck are iridescent with a purplish luster, having greenish reflections. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
This species may be readily known by the short tail, white tippings to secondaries, and colors as described. Found by 
Audubon, only, on the Florida Keys; resident in the Bahamas and West Indies. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of specimens from the West Indies. Length, 10 - 90; stretch, 17-75; wing, 5-50; tail, 4-35; bill, 
•58; tarsus, ‘92. Longest specimen, 11'50; greatest extent of wing, IB* 10; longest wing, 6'00; tail, 4'70; bill, '60; tarsus, 
•95. Shortest specimen, 10'40; smallest extent of wing, 17‘5<); shortest wing, 5'00; tail, 4 - 00; bill, ‘55; tarsus, -90. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, placed on the ground or in trees or bushes and when in the two latter named situations, they are composed of 
sticks, carelessly arranged; when on the ground but little material is used. 
Eggs, one or two in number, varying from elliptical to oval in form, and pure white in color, with the surface very 
smooth. Dimensions from LOO xl'20 to 1-05x1-30. 
