WESTFFN MOUKXIXG DOVE 



599 



not insti'umeutal in transporting the seeds of noxious weeds and 

 other plants, as are many other birds that merely swallow the seeds 

 or berries, dissolve off an outer nutritious coating, and discharge them 

 without affecting the powers of germination. 



Occasionally doyes have been killed by eating poisoned grain put 

 out for horned larks where the latter were destroying grain (McAtee, 

 1905, p. 13). Serious complaint has been made here in California 

 that poisoned grain put out for ground squirrels has killed numbers 

 of doyes (Bundock, MS). Some are probably killed each year by 

 poisonous gases in the orange groves when the trees are being fumi- 

 gated, as instanced by Howell (1914, p. 55). Doves have natural 



Fig. 93. Changes in the open season for hunting doves in 

 California, from the time of the establishment of the first close 

 season in 1880 until 1915. 



enemies, also. A. K. Fisher (1893&), as a result of the examina- 

 tion of 2,690 stomachs of hawks and owls taken all over the United 

 States, found remains of doves in nine stomachs. But this is not a 

 very large proportion as compared with 43 stomachs in which quail 

 or grouse were found. In this connection, the relative numbers of 

 doves to these other game birds ought to be taken into account, as 

 well as their relative powers of flight. On the whole, doves are prob- 

 ably much more immune from natural enemies than are quail or 

 grouse. 



In a number of the eastern states, more particularly the northern 

 ones (lying in the Transition life zone), the Mourning Dove is not, 

 and has not, for many years, been considered a game bird ; but, in 

 the south, and here in the west, where a warmer climate favors the 

 existence of the species in greater numbers, it has always been con- 

 sidered fair game by sportsmen. In California, the first state-wide 

 law protecting doves was passed in 1880 when the open season was 



