The Key to Scientific Names
- GEOTRYGON
(Columbidae; Ϯ Crested Quail Dove G. versicolor) Gr. γεω- geō- ground- < γη gē earth; τρυγων trugōn, τρυγονος trugonos pigeon; "MOUNTAIN WITCH.* Geotrygon sylvatica. MIHI. ... In the dense and lofty forest that clothes the brow of Bluefields Peak, it is very numerous, usually seen singly or in pairs, walking on the ground; the freedom of the forest there from underwood allowing it to exercise its fleetness of foot to advantage. If alarmed, it generally seeks to escape by running, its bulk and shortness of wing rendering its flight burdensome and ineffective. ... *GEOTRYGON. Generic Character. — Beak robust, rather long; both mandibles strongly arched at the tip; nostrils opening far forward. Wings short, and rounded: third quill longest; second and following quills strongly and abruptly sinuated on the outer edge; first quill sickle-shaped, not attenuated. Tail nearly even, short, (viz. less than thrice the length of the tarsus). Tarsus longer than middle toe, unfeathered, covered in front with transverse plates. Inner toe longer than outer; hallux shorter than outer toe. General form stout and plump." (Gosse 1847); "Geotrygon Gosse, Bds. Jamaica, 1847, p. 316. Type, by subsequent designation, Columba cristata Lath., i.e. Gmelin, not of Temminck = Geotrygon sylvatica Gosse 1847 = Columbigallina versicolor Lafresnaye 1846. (Reichenbach, Av. Syst. Nat., 1852 (1853), p. xxv.)" (Peters, 1937, III, p. 132).
Synon. Oreopeleia, Osculatia.
