COLUMBID^ — THE PIGEONS. 385 



feeding in the wheat and corn fields. It was also observed as far west as 

 Santa Cruz, in Sonora. 



Dr. Newberry met with this Dove in all parts of California and Oregon 

 visited by him. Dr. Suckley mentions it as very abundant through- 

 out Wasliington Territory and Oregon. At Fort Steilacoom it arrives and 

 departs at about the same time as the Columha fasciata. Dr. Cooper states 

 it to be common about prairies and farms of the interior, and probably some 

 remain all winter in the Territory, though they rarely appear at any time 

 near the coast border. 



Dr. Kennerly found this species about Bill Williams Fork, in New 

 Mexico, and also in the vicinity of San Antonio, Texas, and along the Gulf 

 coast ; but travelling west about two hundred miles from the former place, 

 they seemed suddenly to disappear. 



According .to Mr. Salvin, this Dove w^as very abundant about Duenas, in- 

 habiting only the open districts. It congregated in flocks, and was resident. 

 Mr. G. C. Taylor frequently met with it in Honduras, where they were 

 generally seen in small flocks of from six to ten. 



Dr. Woodhouse mentions that the mournful notes of these birds were to 

 be heard continually throughout the Indian Territory and the greater part 

 of Texas and New Mexico, in all of which countries it breeds. 



Mr. Dresser found this Dove a familiar resident in every part of Texas 

 and Mexico that he visited. He saw many of their nests, all slightly 

 built of sticks placed on the branch of a mesquite tree or bush, containing 

 two pure-white eggs. In two instances the nests were on the ground. He 

 met with one nest with fresh eggs as late as September 7. 



These birds are migratory in the Northern States, and partially so in the 

 Middle States, their movements being irregular, and evidently dependent 

 upon the abundance of their food. In North and South Carolina, and in 

 otlier parts of the country south of Pennsylvania, they collect together in 

 the winter months in considerable numbers. Wilson states that on tlie 2d 

 of February he saw a flock of. many hundreds of these birds near Newbern, 

 N. C. ; and near the Savannah River, in Georgia, the woods were swarming 

 with them. They return to the North in March or early in April, and dis- 

 perse very generally over the country in pairs, rarely more than two or 

 three of these being seen together. They are then occasionally to be seen 

 in roads, dusting themselves or procuring gravel. Where not molested, they 

 often visit the farm-yards, and even occasionally feed with the poultry, take 

 water from the drinking-places of the cattle-, and become partially domesti- 

 cated. 



When their breeding-season is over, usually early in August, they again 

 collect in small flocks, which unite in larger collections when they move 

 southward in their migrations. 



Their flight is rapid, vigorous, and strong, and the flapping of their wings 

 is accompanied by a peculiar whistling sound. They can fly with great 

 VOL. III. 49 



