Erismatura dominica, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 131; Lee, Ibis, 1873, p. 137 (Entrerios); Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 274 (Pampas). Nomonyx dominicus, Baird, Brew., et Ridgw. Water-B. N. A. ii. 109.
Description.—Above ferruginous; top of head black; superciliaries and band beneath the eye with chin and cheeks whitish, with black freckles; wings brown, with a large white patch on the secondaries; tail black; abdomen dirty white, sprinkled with rufous; axillaries pure white; bill bluish; feet black: whole length 13·0 inches, wing 5·5, tail 3·8. Female: brownish black, back spotted with buffy; sides of head and body beneath ochraceous, with black cross bands.
Hab. West Indies and South America.
This Lake-Duck, which has an extensive range over the northern part of South America, was obtained by Mr. Lee in Entrerios, and by Mr. Barrows in the streams of the Pampas. Mr. Barrows found it associated with Rolland’s Grebe, Coots, and Gallinules, usually in small parties of from three to six individuals.
[Order XI. COLUMBÆ.]
[ Fam. XLI. COLUMBIDÆ, or PIGEONS.]
The great and useful Order of Pigeons is generally diffused over the earth’s surface, although most abundant within the tropics, and not met with in high Arctic or Antarctic latitudes. In the Neotropical Region from 60 to 70 species are found, and among these, although none of them can rival the Fruit-Pigeons of the Eastern Tropics, are some of remarkable beauty and grace. These brilliantly-coloured species are, however, mostly from the northern portion of the Neotropical Region. The Columbæ of the Argentine Republic are in general modestly clad and fewer in number, only eight Pigeons being as yet included in the Argentine Ornis.
[357.] COLUMBA PICAZURO, Temm.
(PICAZURO PIGEON.)
Patagiœnas maculosa, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 496 (Mendoza, Cordova, Tucuman). Columba picazuro, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 132; iid. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 143 (Buenos Ayres); Durnford, Ibis, 1877, p. 193 (Buenos Ayres); Gibson, Ibis, 1880, p. 6 (Buenos Ayres); Barrows, Auk, 1884, p. 274 (Entrerios).