The Ground Dove 



127 



We are accustomed to think of Doves as being birds of peace. The Ground 

 Dove is by no means one of the species that may believe in 'peace at any price.' 

 Unhesitatingly he will attack one of his kind, or even a Mockingbird, Brown 

 Thrasher, or other feathered neighbor that may seek to take his food. His 

 soft bill does not make much of a weapon, and he seems to rely mainly on the 

 stroke of his wing to disconcert his opponent. 



NEST AND EGGS OF THE MEXICAN GROUND DOVE IN MESQUITE BUSH 

 Photographed by William L. and Irene Finley, Tucson, Ariz. 



In my experience, when a brooding bird is approached it leaves the nest 

 suddenly and nutters away. 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. 



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 



