Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 447 



above the ear; sides of neck showing metallic reflections; breast, 

 vinaceous, shading into pale buff on the belly; outer tail feathers 

 tipped with dull white and barred with black; bare skin around the 

 eye, bluish; feet, red. 



Adult female: Similar, but paler and somewhat smaller; the pur- 

 plish tinge of the breast replaced by grayish brown. 



Length, about 12; wing, 5.75; bill, .52; tarsus, .80; tail, 5.40. 



The Mourning Dove is a common summer resident in northern 

 Illinois and Wisconsin and a few remain during the winter. In south- 

 ern Illinois it is a permanent resident. The mournful note of the 

 male suggests its name. 



The nest is a mat of twigs usually in a tree, occasionally on the 

 ground. The eggs are white, two in number, and measure about 1.05 

 X .85 inches. The Field Museum collection contains a series of sets 

 of eggs ot this species taken in northern Illinois, between May loth 

 and June 2gth. 



