136 The Wilson Bulletin— No. 113 



During the period when it was abundant and generally 

 dispersed in the county, I had many opportunities to ob- 

 serve its habits, and while it was to be met with in equal 

 abundance in country of greatly diverse character, its pre- 

 ferred haunts were sparsely timbered woodland containing 

 low and dense undergrowth. On every excursion into such 

 localities I always met with it in great abundance, and its 

 interesting and confiding ways so greatly endeared it to me 

 that I liave viewed its gradual disappearance with sorrow 

 and regret. 



In its choice of nesting sites, it exhibits a very wide 

 range. It most frequently selects a low bush, either thinly 

 or densely foliaged. Other situations in which I have found 

 nests include the top of a low stump ; high up on a hori- 

 zontal limb of a large pine, and frequently, upon the 

 ground. An instance of its nesting on the ocean beach 

 came under my observation on May 13, 1915, on Ossabaw 

 island. In this case there was no attempt at nest building, 

 the eggs being deposited in a slight depression in the sand ; 

 and when breeding on the ground in woodland or culti- 

 vated fields, little or no material is assembled. In fact, 

 nest building occupies little of the time and attention of 

 this species, as when placed in trees or bushes the nest is 

 simply a slight affair of a few twigs loosely interlaid. 

 Further evidence of this bird's disinclination to build a 

 nest for the reception of its eggs is found in the fact that 

 I once found a set in a deserted nest of the Cardinal {Car- 

 dinalis cardinalis cardinalis). The long nesting period of 

 the Ground Dove is attested by numerous observers, al- 

 though I have myself never secured eggs earlier than April 

 15, nor later than June 6; nor have I seen other evidences 

 of early or late nesting. So gentle and confiding are these 

 birds that it. is often possible to touch them while on the 

 nest, especially if incubation is advanced. Upon drop- 

 ping off the nest they always simulate lameness, dragging 

 themselves over the ground with drooping wings in an ef- 

 fort to draw the intruder away. I am of the opinion that 



