CAROLINA PIGEON, OR TURTLE DOVE. 627 



of twigs, SO loosely and slovenly put together as to appear 

 scarcely sufficient to prevent the young from falling out. 



By the first fine days of the early southern spring we 

 hear from the budding trees of the forest, or the already 

 blooming thicket, the mournful call of the Carolina Tur- 

 tle Dove, commencing as^it were with a low and plaintive 

 sigh, a'gh coo coo coo, repeated at impressive intervals of 

 half a minute, and heard distinctly to a considerable dis- 

 tance through the still and balmy air of the reviving sea- 

 son. This sad but pleasing note is also more distinguish- 

 ed at this time, as it seeks the noon-day warmth, in 

 which to utter its complaint, and where it is now heard 

 without a rival. 



The flight of this species is rapid and protracted, and, 

 as usual in the genus, accompanied by a very audible 

 whistling noise ; they fly out often in wide circles, but sel- 

 dom rise above the trees, and keep out near the skirt 

 of the forest, or round the fences and fields, which they 

 visit with considerable familiarity, gleaning after the crop 

 has been removed, and seldom molestincr the farmer, ex- 

 cept by now and then raising up a few grains in sowing- 

 time, which may happen to be exposed too temptingly to 

 view. The usual food of this species is various kinds of 

 grain and small acorns, as well as the berries of the holly, 

 dogwood, poke, whortle and partridge berries, with other 

 kinds, according to the season. In the nuptial period, 

 the wide circling flight of the male is often repeated, 

 around his mate, towards whom he glides with wings 

 and tail expanded, and gracefully alights on the same or 

 some adjoining tree, where she receives his attentions, or 

 fosters her eggs and infant brood. On alighting they 

 spread out their flowing train in a graceful attitude, ac- 

 companying the motion by a clucking, and balancing of 

 the neck and head, evincing the lively emotion and mu- 



