3g4 NOKTII AMERICAN" BTRDS. 



Specimens from the whole of Xorth America, soutli to Costa Rica and 

 the West India Islands, are identical in colors and proportions. 



Specimens from Cuba, Jamaica, and other West India Islands, resemble 

 examples from the eastern United States, but are considerably smaller, the 

 win" measnrinLt less than 5.50 inches. The dark blotches on the wings 

 appear of unusual size, the rufous tinge on the back is more decided, and 

 the under parts are more deeply colored. In these respects they resemble 

 somewhat skins from Cape St. Lucas, ci)llected by Mr. Xantus. 



Habits. The Carolina Dove is found tlironghout the United States, in 

 nearly all parts, from llie Gulf of Me.\ico to Canada, and from the Atlantic 

 coast to the Pacific. It occurs also in the West Indies, in Mexico, and in 

 Central America. It is found in the southern part of Maine as far to the 

 eastward as Calais, but was not collected Ijy 'Sh: A'errill at Norway, and is 

 not known to occur in the northern part of that State. Farther west, it is met 

 with to the Canada line ; a few being known to breed near Hamilton, and 

 others to pass the winter near Salt Sjjrings, according to Mr. jMcIlwraith. 

 They occur with more or less abundance in different parts of Massachusetts, 

 but are generally quite rare except in one or two localities. In nearly all 

 the rest of the United States they are widely and generally distributed, and 

 often abundant. In some parts of the country they are cherished for their 

 confiding trust in the protection of man ; while in others they are hunted 

 on account of their delicacy as food, and are very shy and difficult of ap- 

 proach. In Carlisle, Penn., I found them one of tlie most conunon birds, 

 frequenting the gardens and orchards, and breeding often in close proximity 

 to tlie houses. In Western Massachusetts, on the other hand, where they 

 were once quite abundant, they have been so persistently hunted that they 

 are very shy, and have become quite rare. 



In Kansas and in Colorado they were frequently found by ^Ir. Allen, and 

 in the latter region also by Messrs. Aiken and Holden. On the Plains, in 

 the absence of any trees in which to build, they were in tlie habit of con- 

 structing their nests on the ground, in some instances depositing their eggs 

 in a mere depression in the sand, with hardly any pretence for a nest. 



This l)ird was obtained in Tamaulipas, Mexico, by Lieutenant Couch ; at 

 Piinggold Barracks, Texas, by Mr. J. H. Clark; near San Elizario, liy Dr. 

 Kennerly ; and on the Colorado, by Mr. Schott. Mr. Clark found tlie vicinity 

 of Einggold Barracks a great resort for manv birds of this iamilv for the 

 purpose of nesting ; the luxuriant development of the Opinitia, and other 

 vegetation equally impassable, affording the means of defence. Hundreds 

 of at least half a dozen species were to be seen every evening on the 

 banks of the river after water. Lieutenant Couch found it in great numbers 

 from the Eio (Jrande to beyond the Sierra j\Iadre, generally near tlie ranches, 

 though often in the forests. It seemed inclined to court the society of 

 man for protection and food. It was also very abundant, according to Dr. 

 Kennerly, in the vicinity of San Elizario, banding in large flocks, and 



