Bulletin - United States National Museum - si-pddr - Smithsonian ...

BIRDS OF ARGENTINA, PARAGUAY, URUGUAY, AND CHILE 181
pointing out the briohter, pinker coloration of the breast and the
paler, huffier tint of the posterior underparts.
The Zenaida dove has a wide distribution in open or semi-open
country in southern South America and, like the mourning dove of
the United States, is one of the species of birds seen constantly' dur-
ing travel, whether by train or other convej-ance. It was present in
the Chaco in winter, but was less abundant than in drier, more open
country farther south. At the Riacho Pilaga, Formosa, on August
19, 1920, I noted these doves in close flocks, containing from a dozen
to twenty-five individuals, that fed in open fields with other pigeons.-
Two were seen near the town of Formosa August 23. At Puerto
Pinasco, Paraguay, one was observed on September 1 at Kilometer
25 in company with a flock of blackbirds, Gnorimopsar chopi. Elsewhere
in this region the species was observed on September 24 and
25 at Laguna Wall (Kilometer 200). The Zenaida dove was abundant
on the pampa in the vicinity of Lavalle, Buenos Aires, from
October 22 to November 13, and was found in equal numbers at
General Roca, Rio Negro, from November 23 to December 3, and near
Zapala, Neuquen, from December 7 to 9. Adult females were taken
at Lavalle October 25, at General Roca December 2 (preserved as a
skeleton), and at Zapala December 7. At Carhue, Buenos Aires,
several were observed December 17, and an adult male was taken.
The species was common at Victorica, Pampa, from December 23
to 29, often in yards in town. It was noted near Carrasco, Uruguay,
January 9 and 16, and was abundant at La Paloma January 23.
It was noted in numbers at San Vicente January 25 to February 2
(a female taken January 28), Lazcano, February 3 to 8, and Rio
Negro, February 14 to 19. One was seen at Guamini, Buenos Aires,
March 4, and occasional birds were reported at Potrerillos, Mendoza,
March 17, 19, and 21. On the plains near Tunuyan the birds were
gathered in considerable flocks from March 22 to 29. Near Tapia,
Tucuman, they were observed in small numbers from April 7 to 13,
and others were recorded at Concon, Chile, April 26 to 28 (a female
taken April 26).
Like the Zenaida dove of the "West Indies, Z. auricukita suggests
in habits and even in appearance (save for shorter tail) the equally
abundant mourning dove {Zenaidura macroura) of our northern
continent. The birds feed on the ground in pairs or flocks, often in
plowed fields where seeds are abundant, but more frequently in
pastures where there is cover of grass or weeds. In the more arid
sections they walk about in shelter of open scrubby bushes with the
quick, short steps and nodding heads usual in pigeons. When ap-
proached they suddenly stop motionless and then flush with loudly
clapping wings that become silent as the birds dart away in swift,
direct flight. On cool morninjTs single birds or little bands gathered