264 • GROUND DOVE. 



woods, preferring open fields and plantations ; are almost constantly on 

 the ground, and when disturbed fly to a short distance and again alight. 

 They have a frequent jetting motion with the tail; feed on rice, various 

 seeds and ben-ies, particularly those of the Tooth-ache tree,* under oi 

 near which, in the proper season, they are almost sure to be found. 

 Of their nest or manner of breeding I am unable, at present, to give 

 any account. 



These birds seem to be confined to the districts lying south of Vir- 

 ginia. They are plenty on the upper parts of Cape Fear river, and in 

 the interior of Carolina and Georgia ; but I have never met with them 

 either in Maryland, Delaware, or Pennsylvania. They never congregate 

 in such multitudes as the common Wild Pigeon ; or even as the Carolina 

 Pigeon or Turtle Dove ; but, like the Partridge or Quail, frequent the 

 open fields in small coveys. They are easily tamed ; have a low 

 tender cooing note, accompanied with the usual gesticulations of their 

 tribe. 



The Ground Dove is a bird of passage, retiring to the islands and to 

 the more southerly parts of the continent on the approach of winter, 

 and returning to its former haunts early in April. It is of a more 

 slender and delicate form, and less able to bear the rigors of cold, than 

 either of the other two species common in the United States, both of 

 which are found in the northern regions of Canada, as well as in the 

 genial climate of Florida. 



The Dove, generally speaking, has long been considered as the 

 favorite emblem of peace and innocence, probably from the respectful 

 manner in which its name is mentioned in various parts of Scripture ; 

 its being selected from among all the birds by Noah to ascertain the 

 state of the deluge, and returning to the ark, bearing the olive leaf as 

 a messenger of peace and good tidings ; the Holy Ghost, it is also said, 

 was seen to descend like a dove from heaven, &c., &c. In addition to 

 these, there is in the Dove an appearance of meekness and innocency 

 very interesting, and well calculated to secure our partiality in its favor. 

 These remarks are applicable to the whole genus ; but are more par- 

 ticularly so to the species now before us, as being among the least, the 

 most delicate and inoffensive, of the whole. 



The Ground Dove is six inches and a quarter long ; bill yellow, black 

 at the point ; nostril covered with a prominent membrane, as is usual 

 with the genus ; iris of the eye orange red ; front, throat, breast and 

 sides of the neck, pale vinaceous purple ; the feathers strongly defined 

 by semicircular outlines, those on the throat centered with dusky blue ; 

 crown and hind head a fine pale blue, intermixed with purple, the plu- 

 mage like that on the throat strongly defined ; back cinereous brown, 



* Xanthoxylum Clava HercuHs. 



