(Columba faciata)
The wild, or banded pigeon, is a mountain dweller, found principally
in the southern half of the territory covered by this work. They visit
the valleys in the fall and winter months to feed on the oak mast, and
at such times they are seen in large flocks in the Sacramento, San
Joaquin and coast valleys of California. They are found in good
numbers in parts of Arizona, and are common along both sides of the
Sierra Madres of Mexico. When visiting the valleys they afford good
sport, as they are swift flyers and capable of carrying off a good
deal of shot. They have no migrations like the passenger pigeon once
so plentiful in the eastern states, nor do they congregate in such
immense flocks.
=Color=--About the same as the darker colored tame pigeon; the tail is
a trifle longer than the tame bird and a little lighter than the rest
of the plumage with a dark band across the middle of it; a small patch
of white feathers at the back of the head. Both sexes are alike.
=Nest and Eggs=--The nest is built in the trees of small twigs and
grass. Two eggs are layed at a time, and a pair of young birds are
produced about every six weeks from April to August.
=Measurements=--A trifle more than the tame pigeon.