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University of Illinois Library

M32

ZOOLOGICAL SERIES

OF

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Volume XX CHICAGO, DECEMBER 31, 1938 No. 36

A NEW PIGEON FROM COLOMBIA

BY H. B. CONOVER
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE. DIVISION OF BIRDS

During a recent study of the forms of Columba cayennensis
(Bonnaterre)1 it became apparent that specimens from the valley
of the Cauca River in Colombia could not be assigned to either of
the neighboring races, pallidicrissa of Central America and northern
Colombia, and occidentalis of western Ecuador. In fact, in depth of
coloration, birds from this western Colombian region seemed to
resemble most closely specimens from Paraguay and southern Bra-
zil, with the exception that the tail was uniform instead of bicolored.
It seems necessary, therefore, to give the Cauca Valley form a name.

Columba cayennensis tamboensis subsp. nov.

Type from El Tambo, Cauca, Colombia. Altitude 5,100 feet.
No. 13145 Conover Collection, Field Museum of Natural History.
Adult male. Collected December 9, 1937, by Kjell von Sneidern.

Characters. — A very dark bird, similar to sylveslris of Paraguay,
but with a nearly uniform tail. Ventral region and under tail
coverts averaging lighter. In the males the red of the upper parts
covers a greater area extending over most of the scapular region
and lesser and median wing coverts. Underneath, the red of the
breast runs farther down toward the ventral area.

Darker than pallidicrissa, occidentalis or typical cayennensis,
especially on the cheeks, rump, ventral area, under wing coverts,
and under tail coverts, although in the last three areas it is very
close to the typical race. Red of the upper parts and breast more
extensive. Tail nearly uniform, as in occidentalis and pallidicrissa.
Occiput darker, greener, less amethystine.

Description of type. — Forehead russet vinaceous; occiput and
nape dark metallic green with slight amethystine reflections; chin
and upper throat white; cheeks, ear coverts and lower throat dark

1 See Todd, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., 50, p. 186, footnote no. 8, 1937.
No. 432 477

Datura. History Library

478 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. XX

gray; entire neck, mantle, chest, breast and upper belly purplish
vinaceous, the hind neck and mantle with purplish reflections; back,
scapulars, lesser and median wing coverts dark vinaceous chestnut;
lower back, rump, and upper tail coverts lead-gray; flanks, ventral
area, under tail coverts and under wing coverts lighter gray, becom-
ing whitish about the vent; tail brownish gray, becoming lighter
toward the tip; primaries and secondaries brown with narrow light
edges; iris light red; legs violet red. Wing (flat) 183; exposed cul-
men 17; tarsus 23; middle toe without claw 29.

Range. — Cauca Valley and perhaps also that of the Magdalena.

Remarks. — Only a single specimen was available from the Mag-
dalena Valley and that one from Banco, only about 150 miles from
the coast. This example seems somewhat paler than the series
from the Cauca Valley and may be tending toward pallidicrissa.
While this pigeon does not seem to have been recorded from the
upper Magdalena River, it appears likely to occur there.

For the loan of material needed for this investigation I wish to
express my thanks to Mr. J. T. Zimmer of the American Museum of
Natural History, New York.

A list of specimens examined is appended.

Columba c. cayennensis. — 9: BRAZIL (Obidos, Para, 1; Lago
Cuipeua, near Obidos, 4; Boca de Channel Piava, 1; Serra
da Lua, near Boa Vista [type of andersoni], 1). BRITISH
GUIANA (Abory River, 2).

Columba c. pallidicrissa. — 14: COSTA RICA (Guapiles, 1; El
Pozo, Puntarenas, 3; Las Agujas, 1; Point Jiminez, Oso
Peninsula, 3). COLOMBIA (Rio Frio, Santa Marta, 2).
VENEZUELA (Rio Cogollo, Perija, 2; Pedernales, Amacuro,
1). TOBAGO (type of tobagensis}, I.

Columba c. occidentalis. — 5: ECUADOR (Rio San Antonio, Prov.
de los Rios, 3; La Palma, Prov. de los Rios, 2).

Columba c. sylvestris. — 20: BRAZIL (Buenos Aires, Rio Acara,
Para, 3; Serraria Cabral, Rio Acara, Para, 3; Boim, Rio
Tapajos, Para, 6). PARAGUAY (Villa Rica, 2; Horqueta,
2; 265 kilometers west of Puerto Casado, 4).

Columba c. tamboensis. — 10: COLOMBIA (Chisquio, El Tambo,
Cauca, 1; El Tambo, Cauca, 3; Munchique, El Tambo,
Cauca, 1; San Antonio, Cauca, 2; Cali, Cauca, 1; Rio Frio,
Cauca, 1; Banco, Magdalena River, 1).

JAN 3 01939

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