(SPOT-WINGED PIGEON.)
+Columba maculosa+, _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 132; _Sclater, P. Z.
S._ 1872, p. 545 (Rio Negro); _Durnford, Ibis_, 1877, p. 42
(Chupat), et 1878, p. 401 (Centr. Patagonia); _White, P. Z. S._
1882, p. 626 (Catamarca); _Barrows, Auk_, 1884, p. 274
(Entrerios).
_Description._--Above pale vinaceous brown, profusely spotted on
the back and wings with white apical spots; lower back and tail
plumbeous; wings and tail slaty black, the former with narrow
whitish margins: beneath plumbeous, with a strong vinaceous tinge;
bill black; feet yellow: whole length 13·0 inches, wing 8·5, tail
4·5. _Female_ similar.
_Hab._ Peru, Bolivia, Western Argentina, and Patagonia.
This Pigeon has a general resemblance to the Picazuro, but may be at
once distinguished by its spotted back and wings. It ranges from South
Peru through Bolivia and Western Argentina into Patagonia, where it
appears to be a resident. In winter, the valley of the Rio Negro is
visited by it in immense flocks, which are a great plague to the
farmers, as they descend in clouds on the fields, and devour the wheat
before it has time to sprout. While watching crowds of these birds
feeding on the ground, I noticed that their manner was in striking
contrast to that of the _C. picazuro_, which has slow and dignified
motions; for it hurried about, and snatched up its food with such
rapidity that the most animated motions of other birds that feed in
flocks on the ground seemed languid by comparison. This excessively
lively habit is, no doubt, directly caused by the conditions of life;
the sterile soil and scanty vegetation of the region it inhabits require
in a species going in large bodies, and subsisting exclusively on fallen
seed, a greater activity than is necessary in the rich fertile region
further north.
Its song is composed of notes equal in length and number to that of the
Picazuro, but its voice is exceedingly hoarse, like that of the European
Wood-Pigeon.
The great body of these birds retire, on the approach of summer,
from the Rio Negro valley, a few only remaining to breed. Their
nesting-habits and eggs are like those of the Picazuro.