_Melopelia_, BONAP. Consp. II, Dec. 1854, 81. (Type, _Columba
leucoptera_, L.)
GEN. CHAR. Similar to _Zenaida_; the orbital region and lore more naked;
the bill longer; the middle toe longer; the hinder shorter. Tarsal
scutellæ in a single series anteriorly. First quill nearly as long as
the second and third. A large white patch on wing-coverts, lower parts
light ashy.
This genus, like nearly all the North American ones, is represented by
but a single species in the United States.
Melopelia leucoptera, (LINN.) BONAP.