253 
on the Birds of St. Croix. 
26. White-crowned Pigeon. Patagicenas leucocephalus , 
Reichenb. Icon. pis. 223, 255. Columba leucocephala , L.; Bp. Am. 
Orn. pi. 15. fig. 1; Aud. pi. 177. “ White-head “ Bald-pate.” 
Inhabits the same localities as the last species, but is not so 
common. It is also said of this bird that it migrates from 
Porto Rico, though it does undoubtedly breed in the island; as 
we have a specimen of a young one, shot July 28th, 1858, which 
could not have left the nest many days. 
An example of this species which had been originally captured 
in an out-house, where it was supposed it had taken refuge from 
some bird of prey, lived for two or three years in the possession 
of our friend Dr. Carden of St. Croix, who kindly permitted 
us to present it to the Zoological Society of London, in whose 
gardens it was safely deposited last October, and where it is still 
thriving. 
127. Zenaida Dove. Zenaida amabilis, Bp., Am. Orn. pi. 15. 
fig. 2. Columba zenaida , Aud. pi. 162. “ Mountain Dove.” 
This handsome bird is very common, and, besides affording 
very pretty shooting, has the additional advantage of being 
excellent eating. Though it is numerous on the hills, as its 
local name would lead one to expect, it is likewise plentiful in 
any part sufficiently overgrown with bush. It does not appear 
to us to be so very terrestrial in its habits as is stated by some 
writers ; nor have we particularly marked the “ peculiar whistling 
of the wings” mentioned by Mr. Gosse (B. Jam. p. 308) and 
others. Its flight is remarkably rapid. It breeds from April 
to the end of July, and builds an ordinary-looking Pigeon's nest 
—a mere platform of twigs, in a bush or tree at any height from 
a few feet to twenty. It lays two eggs, which, in this island at 
least, are perfectly white, and not “ of a drab hue,” as stated by 
Mr. Gosse (. Ib . p. 310). The young birds are often taken from 
the nest and brought up without much difficulty. The cooing 
of this Dove much resembles the noise made by sounding a 
conch-shell. 
t 28. White-fronted Ground-Dove. Chamcepelia trochila, 
Bp. Consp. Av. ii. p. 77. “ Ground-Dove.” 
Very common everywhere. It is seen perpetually running 
