S. Porter—A West Indian Diary



71



strikingly coloured bird, the whole of the head from the gape through

the eye to the back of the head is snow white, the rest of the body

slate-grey, on the neck are four diagonal stripes of iridescent steel green

feathers which are edged with black. The female has the head more

of a soiled white colour. Like all the other pigeons of Jamaica this

bird is exceedingly wild and wary. This is due to the fact that it is

greatly persecuted by both the black and the white population who shoot

it extensively in the shooting season. It is also trapped and shot

surreptitiously by the natives all the year round. Although a true

Pigeon this bird resembles the Fruit Pigeons in the manner of feeding.

It feeds on all manner of berries and fruits of the forest trees and rarely

if ever descends to the ground. In captivity it is very awkward on the

ground and walks with great discomfort, owing to the very short legs.

The bird has a beautiful carriage and is what one might call “ stream¬

lined


This bird, while not being nearly as attractive as its congener the

“ Mountain Witch ” is lively and intelligent and lacks the usual

lethargic demeanour of most of the pigeons. I secured two pairs of

these beautiful pigeons which I brought home with me.


The Pea Dove (Zenaida zenaida). This small but handsome species

is much more robust in. shape than the foregoing. It is about the same

size as a Turtle Dove but much plumper. It is fairly common in the

lightly wooded and cleared district, but like the other Jamaican Doves

it is shy and wary. It is a ground bird, but is seldom seen except in

flight as it usually spots the observer long before one has observed the

bird and all one sees is but a fleeting glimpse as the bird flies swiftly

to safety.


The Dove is a rich cinnamon brown, spotted and marked with black

and with a very beautiful iridescent violet patch on the side of the

neck. I was offered examples of this bird but having so many of the

rarer pigeons and none too many cages I did not purchase any.


The White-winged Dove (Melojpelia asiatica). A true Turtle Dove,

this is a very handsome species, the most striking feature being the

brilliant blue patch of skin around the eye which makes an unusual

contrast to the pale brownish-grey of the rest of the body. It is a fairly

common bird and one which is frequently snared by the natives.



