80 



47. [300] Bonam umbclliix ihinn.). Ruffed Grouse. 



As late as 1S86 the Ruffed Grouse was a common resident iu Mon- 

 roe County (C. H. B.), and in 1887 was frequently seen in the liills north- 

 east of town (B. W. E.), aud was ratlier common in deep woods (W. S. 

 B.). These phrases are far from indicative of the occurrence of the 

 Buffed Grouse at present. In four years of contiuuous field-worli but 

 -one bird has been observed each year. April 7, 1901, a splendid male 

 ^^as seen; March 23, 1902, one was found dead; Sept. 23, 1902, one 

 flew througli a window into a house, and March 14, 1903, one was 

 seen iii a dense, tangled and wild tract of woods Avhich was swept 

 by a hurricane several years ago (P. J. H.). It is in this place that 

 the Ruffed Grouse will probably persist longest in this county, and it 

 may be found there in sparing numbers for several years. Three were 

 seen in this locality on April 9, 1904, and two more on April 16. Iu Brown, 

 the adjoining county east, the Ruffed Grouse was classed as common 

 as late as 1804 (E. M. K.). 



48. [316] Zenaidura macron rn (Linn.). Mourning Dove.* Figs. 7-10. 

 Common resident, less numerous in winter, though it is sometimes 



seen in bands of four to twelve in this season. They become common 

 after the first week of March, aiad the dates are rather regular— March 

 8, '01, March 9. '02, March 8. '03. A bird of even distril)ution. eiiually 

 liable to be met with in thickets or more open woods or in plowed lands 

 or weedy tields. A most attractive creature of beautiful appearance 

 and pleasing manner, in the mating season tilling tlie air with the 

 sonorous melody of his love. 



The point of greatest interest in regard to thL' ^Mourning Dove is 

 its early nesting. Mr. A. W. Butler says: "They begin cooing al)out the 

 middle of March. * * * Tliey mate early, and tlieii- nests, witli com- 

 plement of eggs are often found early in April— April 4, Franklin 

 County." B. W. Evermann found a nest and set of eggs here April 

 17. 1SS6. In tlie last few years, lujwever, nests and eggs have been 

 fouud at much earlier dates. In 1901. the first nest was foiuid March 

 17; no eggs were seen, however, until April 7 and April 19. Those found 

 on the latter date were hatched April 14, therefore they must have been 

 laid al)out on the first and second days of April. The nest Avas in a 

 tangle of vines on a rail fence. In 19(i2 tlie record was as follows: 

 Cooing March 7— nest complete Mni-cli 27— one egg seen March 28. This 



