Dessription.--A very small, stout, short-tailed dove; feathere of neck and breast with 
scale pattern. 
ae ae Adult male,—-Head with forehead, sides, and neck purplish red, glossed with 
bluish on occiput and hindneck; upperparts grayish brown; aS Me ticcat a ee 
cast, paler or grayer on belly and abdomen, many feathers on throat an “A 
centers giving a scale pattern; wing with coverts pale vinaceous brown, eir aged surface 
with iridescent steel blue-black spots, flight feathers dark brown on outer webe, bright 
chestnut on inner webs; tail with middle feathers brownish gray, outer ones blacker, outer= 
most with narrow white tips; bill orange red with dark tip, iris reddish, legs and feet 
flesh pink. 
r Adult female.--Differs from the male in being grayer, with much less vinaceous 
cast to plumage. 
Saree ue Female Cr cs. Ck 
, nd Wing, mh < 
Wing, 83 - 91 (87) Tail, 57 - 62 (59) 
a. - 6 . 
Serie ak Bee a Tarsus, 15 - 16 (15.7) 
Exposed culmen, 11 - 12 (11.5) Exposed culmen, 11 - 12 (11.5) 
General Distribayion.——Colorade Delta, southern Arizona and southern Texas south over lower 
California and México (Except the tableland) to Belice (British Honduras) and Guatemala. 
ist uat ---Chiefly dry, open highlands of the interior. 
Records.—-Villa Nueva, February 28, 1946, March 31, 1947; lake Atescatempa, March 15, 1942, 
April 25-27, 1946, April 17-20, 1947; Progreso, Jutiapa, March 14, 1942, April 25 and 27, 
1946; Asuncién Mita, March 14, 1942, April 25 and 27, 1946; Jutiapa, March 14, 1942, april 
25 and 27, 1946; Lake Amatitlén, February 28, March 9, 25, and 29, 1946, March 14 and 31, 
April 8, 1947: Panajachel, March 1, 1946, April 22, 1947; Patzicia, March, 1942; March 1, 
May 1, 1946; April 22, 1947; San Pedro Jocopilas, April 22-23, 1947; Sacapulas, April 23 
and 30, 1948; Motagua Valley, from Zacapa to Progreso, March 26, 1942, May 6 to 9, 1947: 
Salamd to Tactic, May 15, 1947; Tactic to Pangoés, May 15, 1947; Panzds, May 16-18, 1947; 
El Chol to Guatemala, May 29, 1947. 
In literature it has been recorded from: Duefias, San Gerénimo, Panajachel, 
Santa Marfa, near Quetzaltenango (Salvin and Godman); Gualdn, lake Atitl&n (Dearborn); 
Duefias, Toyabaj (Ridgway--should be spelled Joyabaj); Panajachel, San lucas, Antigua, 
Sacapulas (Griscom);: 4ntigua, Duenas, Panajachel (Wetmore). 
Babits and Hunting.--The little Méxican ground dove should be fully protected. It is too 
small and friendly to be considered a game bird. 
It is especially common along roads in the vicinity of villages and fincas. 
90. Columbigallina talpacoti yufipennis (Bonaparte) 
Ruddy Ground Dove 
Qther Names.-— 
Guatemalan: tortola corralera, tortolita 
English : red dove (male) 
Status.--The ruddy ground dove is a very common resident within its range. 
Description.--A very small ground dove; the male reddish in color, crown bluish eray. 
Adult male.-—-Above reddish brown, top of head brownish gray, paler and strongly 
Vinaceous on forehead and hindneck; wings reddish brown with two black bars, wing lining 
reddish chestnut; middle tail feathers cinnamon brown, others darker; chin and upper throat 
whitish, blending to vinaceous buff on underparts; iris red, bill pale with dark tip, legs 
and feet reddish. 
Adult female.--Similar except buffy brown above and lacking the vinaceous coloring. 
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