I can add to the nostalgic discussion of European birds that the Collared
Dove _Streptopelia decaocto_ is a well-studied species in part because of
its very rapid spread through western Europe earlier in this century.

It has also become established in the Bahamas, perhaps even naturally, and
now Florida. It is spreading through that area like, as the saying goes,
wildfire. So don't worry too much about going to Florida to get it on your
life list; it'll probably be up thisaway before too many years, maybe a
race between it and the Shiny Cowbird for transcontinental colonization.

It seems that some pigeons and doves, even though they lay only 2 eggs at a
time, are incredibly increasible because they may breed 3-5 times in a
year. Because they feed their young from crop secretions ("pigeon's
milk"), they may be somewhat immune from the problems of nestling
starvation that many birds have.

My big question about this species is wondering why its specific name means
"18" (I think).

Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416