PIGEONS AND DOVES. 189 



Much like the 9 , but the feathers tipped with whitish. L., 11-85; W., 5-72; 

 T., 5-50 ; B., -53. 



Bemar]cs.—The Dove is sometimes mistaken for the Wild Pigeon, hut, 

 aside from the diflCTences in size, may always be distinguished by its olive 

 grayish brown instead of bluish slate-color rump, the black mark below the 

 ear, and other characters. 



Rayige. — North America, breeding from Cuba north to Ontario, Quebec, 

 and southern Maine, and wintering from southern Illinois and New York to 

 the Greater Antilles and Panama. 



Washington, P. R. ; common, except in winter. Sing Sing, common S. P., 

 Mch. 3 to Nov. 27 ; a few winter. Cambridge, occasional during summer in 

 the immediate vicinity of Cambridge. 



Mst^ a flat structure of small twigs rather loosely put together, on the 

 lower branches of a tree, generally within ten feet of the ground; rarely on 

 the ground in the Eastern States. Eggs, two, white, 1-07 x -83. 



Doves resemble Wild Pigeons, but are much smaller, and their rapid 

 flight is accompanied by the whistling sound of wings, while the flight 

 of the Wild Pigeon is said to be noiseless. 



During the nesting season they may be found in pairs, generally 

 in open woodlands or tree-bordered fields. They also visit roads and 

 lanes to dust themselves. The sweet, sad call of the male has won for 

 this species its common name ; it consists of several soft coos, which 

 may be wTitten : Coo-o-o, ah-coo-o-o — coo-o-o — coo-o-o. Under favor- 

 able circumstances these notes may be heard at a distance of at least 

 two hundred and fifty yards: they are uttered slowly and tenderly, 

 and with such apparent depth of feeling that one might easily imagine 

 the bird was mourning the loss of his mate, instead of singing a love- 

 song to her. 



At this season one or both birds may be seen performing a peculiar 

 aerial evolution. Ascending to a height of about thirty feet, they fly 

 for some distance in an unnatural manner, and then, after a short sail, 

 return to their perch. When engaged in this performance they very 

 closely resemble a Sharp-shinned Hawk. 



After the nesting season Doves gather in flocks of varying size and 

 frequent grain and corn fields. During the day they visit the near- 

 est supply of fine gravel, which they eat in large quantities as an aid 

 to digestion. In some localities, soon after sunset, they regularly re- 

 pair in numbers to some favorite place to drink, ajid then retire to 

 their roosts. 



317. Zenaida zenaida (Bo/tap.). Zenaida Dove. Jc^.— Bears a 

 general resemblance to Zenaidura macroura. but the tail is square and tipped 

 with ashy, and the under parts are deep, rich vinaceous. L., 10-00; W., O'lO; 

 T., 3-50 ; B., -66. 



Range. — Florida Keys, West Indies, and coast of Yucatan. 



Nest, on or near the ground. Kggs, two, glossy white, 1-22 x -92. 



