(PICUI DOVE.)
+Columbula picui+, _Burm. La-Plata Reise_, ii. p. 496 (Mendoza,
Paraná, Tucuman); _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 133; _iid. P. Z.
S._ 1868, p. 143 (Buenos Ayres); _Durnford, Ibis_, 1877, p. 193
(Buenos Ayres); _Gibson, Ibis_, 1880, p. 7 (Buenos Ayres);
_Barrows, Auk_, 1884, p. 275 (Entrerios).
_Description._--Above brownish cinereous; head and neck plumbeous;
wing-feathers black; coverts and outer secondaries like the back,
but bordered with white on their outer edges, and with a band of
bright blue across the tips of the lesser coverts; tail white,
middle rectrices like the back, lateral rectrices more or less
bordered with cinereous on the outer web, except the outer pair,
which are pure white: beneath pale vinaceous; throat, lower belly,
and crissum white; under wing-coverts black; bill black; feet
yellow: whole length 6·5 inches, wing 3·5, tail 2·0. _Female_
similar, but duller; above nearly uniform brown.
_Hab._ Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Chili.
This species, the smallest of our Doves, is common everywhere in the
Plata district, where it is called _Tortolita_ (Little Turtle-Dove),
Azara's name _Picui_ not being known to our countrymen.
It is usually seen with its mate, for many individuals seem to pair for
life; but sometimes a dozen or twenty individuals unite in one flock. It
is resident, comes a great deal about houses, and is familiar with man,
and lively in its habits. It sings a great deal in summer, and even on
warm days in winter; but its tones are wanting in the wild pathos which
gives a charm to the melody of some of our larger species, the song
consisting of a succession of long, rather loud, and somewhat monotonous
notes, pleasant to hear, like most bird-music, but nothing more.
The nest is the usual slight structure of sticks; the eggs two, oval,
and white. They breed twice, and sometimes three times, in one season,
the last brood being hatched as late as April or even May.