98 BIEDS 



Their song is a low and plaintive "coo, cou, u — ^ul'* 

 during the mating period. On hot and sultry days this 

 cooing may be heard a long distance. 



Doves are rapid flyers and make a metallic noise 

 with their rapidly vibrating wings as they fly. These 

 birds are very shy when near their nest and will abandon 

 their eggs, if disturbed very much. If approached too 

 closely while incubating, they will tumble from the nest 

 to the ground and feigning the most helpless and crippled 

 condition go fluttering away with the unsuspecting ob- 

 server in fruitless pursuit. As soon as the would-be 

 captor has been beguiled to a safe distance the poor 

 crippled things suddenly recover flight power and dis- 

 appear in the distance, much to the pursuer's surprise 

 and chagrin. 



