EASTERN GROUND DOVE 437 



twigs, its interior of grasses disposed in a circular form ;" he found a 

 nest " placed on the top of a cactus not more than two feet high." 

 Dr. T. Gilbert Pearson (1920) writes: 



There is no bird in the United States that to my knowledge breeds over so 

 long a period of the year as does the ground dove. In my experience with 

 these birds in Florida, I have found their nests occupying varying situations 

 during different seasons of the year. Thus on February 28 and March 3, I 

 have found nests located on the tops of partially decayed stumps of pine 

 trees, only about 2 feet from the ground. Later in the season I have seen 

 numerous nests placed on the ground, usually in fields of weeds or in standing 

 grain. Fields of oats seem to be especially favored with their presence during 

 midsummer. Late in July, August and on to the latter part of September, 

 I have found their nests on horizontal limbs of large orange trees, on the level 

 fronds of palms, and on the cross-bars or rails, as commonly used for supports 

 of the widespreading scuppernong grape-vines. 



Most observers have noted that when a ground dove's nest is 

 approached, the brooding bird quickly leaves the nest and flutters 

 along the ground, attempting to lure the intruder away by feigning 

 lameness. But Doctor Pearson (1920) writes: 



Occasionally an individual is found that declines to expose her treasures 

 without an argument. As the inquiring hand comes close to the nest, she 

 does not strike with her bill, nor even indulge in loud scolding, but with 

 ruffled feathers raises her wings in a threatening attitude, as if she would crush 

 the offending fingers if they came too close. Surely a puny, hopeless bit of 

 resistance ; nevertheless it shows that a stout heart throbs within the feathered 

 breast of the little mother. 



Mr. Nicholson has proved to his satisfaction that the same nest 

 is used for a second or even third brood in a single season, by appar- 

 ently the same pair of birds. 



Eggs. — The ground dove lays almost invariably two eggs, very 

 rarely three and apparently never less than two. The eggs are 

 usually elliptical oval in shape, sometimes oval, and rarely ovate. 

 They show little or no gloss and are pure white in color. The meas- 

 urements of 34 eggs average 21.9 by 16.2 millimeters; the eggs show- 

 ing the four extremes measure 24.4 by 16.6, 22.8 by 17.2, 20.3 by 15.2, 

 and 21.7 by 15.1 millimeters. 



Young. — Incubation is said to last from 12 to 14 days, both parents 

 assisting. The breeding season is so prolonged, from February to 

 November, that probably three or four broods, certainly two or three, 

 are raised in a season. The young remain in the nest until they are 

 ready to fly. Nicholson says, in his notes, that " when disturbed the 

 young fly from the nests with a strong flight which is marvelous for 

 the first attempt. After the young have hatched, the nest is very 

 untidy; the droppings piled high on the outer edge of every nest, 

 sometimes to half an inch or more in depth." 



74564—32 29 



