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AMERICAN ORXITHOWGY 



Photo by H. B. Stough. 

 NEST AND EGGS OF MOURNING DOVE. 



THE MOURNING DOVE, 



Bs Viola .McColm. 



Who has not heard at twilight the desolate call of the Mourning Dove. 

 At any time of day it may be heard, but it is under a gloomy sky or at 

 dusk we are apt to notice it. And ever from a distance the sad notes 

 seem wafted, — we feel that the bird is so entirely alone in her sorrow. 

 It is to me the saddest of all bird calls; yet it is in reality the love coo 

 of the male. 



Although appropriately named Mourning Dove, the bird — in this 

 locality at least — is more commonly called Turtle Dove. While it is 

 classed as only a summer resident of this portion of Kansas, yet some 

 remain with us all the winter. 



One of the best known characteristics of the Dove is her habit of 

 feigning a broken wing to lure one away from her treasures in the nest. 

 If followed she will continue the deception until she has led her pursuer 

 many rods from the nest. 



Upon seeing a nest of a Turtle Dove it recalls the legend related by 



