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42 



Since the passing of the Passenger 

 Pigeon, MOURNING DOVES are our 

 only- representatives of this family. 

 They are of only local occurrence in 

 New York and New England as this is 

 nearly the northern limit of their range 

 in the east. 



Their food is chiefly of grain, seeds 

 and berries gathered from the ground, 

 or from bushes or trees. Their fiighi 

 is verj' swiftly performed and the long 

 stiff wing feathers make a whistling 

 sound as the birds pass. Well known 

 as they are, many people still mistake 

 theiii for Wild Pigeons. These are less 

 than fourteen inches long and have a 

 •black spot under the ears, while the 

 Passenger Pigeon is more than sixteen 

 inches in length. There are many other 

 differences but these two easily dis- 

 tinguish between the two species. 



Doves make very shabby nests, — flat 

 platforms of just a few twigs, with 

 barely hollow enough to hold the two 

 eggs. These nests naay be in trees, in 

 bushes, on logs or on the ground. 



and SHARP-SHINNED and COOPER'S HAWKS, two 

 rather small species, very similar in pliunage, the latter 

 being the larger. These birds are residents and quite de- 

 structive to young poultry, small game and other birds. 



MARSH HAWKS, that species which we so often see 

 coursing low over meadows or which we so frequently start 

 from the ground, and which can readily be identified by the 

 white rimip, arc classed as among our beneficial birds of 

 prey. Fortunately our farmers are becoming educated to 

 the value of birds, even of hawks, and are learning to spare 

 the useful kinds instead of, as a few years ago, killing 

 every one that came within reach of their guns. 



AmjDle evidence of the destroying power of man is shown 

 by the case of our PASSENGER PIGEONS, which up to 

 the year 1875 were to be found in flocks containing thous- 

 ands of individuals throughout eastern North America. 

 They were trapped, shot, netted and even killed with poles 

 until now they are extinct or so near it that there is no hope 

 of their ever regaining a foothold. Concerted efforts for 

 several years have failed to locate a single breeding pair or 

 any satisfactory evidence of any living Passenger Pigeons. 



As Ruffed Grouse are kings of the woods, so BOB 

 WHITES reign in our fields, pastures and small growths. 



