196 



IN SES SORES CURSORES. 



appearing in one section of country,, and then quit- 

 ting it for an absence of years. Its plumage, though 



plain, is beautifully 

 varied on the neck 

 and shoulders with 

 glossy feathers, re- 

 flecting in different 

 lights the resplend- 

 ent colors of the rain- 

 bow. 



The Carolina Dove 

 is another very abun- 

 dant species, being 

 found in the breed- 

 ing season in nearly 

 every part of the 

 Union. They do not, 



however,like the Pas- 

 senger Pigeon, as- 

 semble in large flocks, seldom being known to con- 

 gregate in greater numbers than two or three hundred 

 together, and that only during the period of migra- 

 tion. So very common and familiar are these birds, 

 that it is difficult to take a ride of many miles into 

 the country without meeting with them along the 

 road-side, always flying in pairs, keeping some dis- 

 tance ahead of your vehicle, and now and then alight- 

 ing in the middle of the road to search for food or 

 to dust themselves. Thus you may follow them for 

 some distance, until they suddenly wheel off into an 

 adjoining field or wood. Their flight is very swift, 



Passenger Pigeon. 



