440 Beyer, Allisox and Kopmax, Birds of Louisiana. [oct^ 



132. Passenger Pigeon {Ectopistes migrator ius). The last recorded 

 occurrence of this species in Louisiana was during the extremely severe 

 weather of February, 1895, when two were taken at Mandeville. One 

 of these birds is in the museum of Tulane University. 



133. MouRxiXG Dove (Zenaidura macroura). Resident, but decidedly 

 commoner in winter, an increase occurring at the latitude of the coast about 

 October 1. This species is more generally distributed in the breeding 

 season in the upland regions than near the coast, but in the latter section 

 it nests freely about some of the plantations, especially in central southern 

 Louisiana. It is most generally dispersed in the coast region in fall. 



Nesting extends over a long period, the earliest record being April 17 

 (Ellisville, Mississippi, 190S), and young birds being found in the nest 

 until late in September. The site is also variable: rarely the nest is 

 placed on the ground, but pines and twiggy branches of deciduous trees 

 are much more usual. One nest was observed in a dead plum bush, 

 completely surrounded by the long moss-like Usnea. In southeastern 

 Louisiana nests have been found in low willows over the water. 



Singing begins a little after the middle of February, and continues until 

 July; or even August, though this is not general. 



134. White-wixged Dove {Melopelia leucoptera). Birds unques- 

 tionably of this species have twice been killed on Grand Isle, — in May^ 

 1894, and in August, 1895, and were reported and described by the captor, 

 but the specimens were not saved for identification, owing to the heat 

 (Beyer). 



135. Gkouxd Dove (Columbigallina passerina terrestris). A resident,. 

 but decidedy rare in most localities. 



136. Turkey Vulture {Cathartes aura). An abundant resident, but 

 not so common as the following species; slightly commoner in the north- 

 ern part of the State than in the southern. 



137. Black Vulture (Catharista nrubu). A very abundant resident, 

 slightly commoner in the southern part of the State than in the northern. 

 The proportion of this species to the preceding in southern Louisiana is 

 probably about 3 to 1. Soaring flocks containing only this species are- 

 more frequently seen than flocks containing only Turkey Vultures, though 

 the usual flock is composed of both species, with the Black Vultures pre- 

 ponderating. The Turkey Vulture flying singly is more often seen than 

 the Black Vulture under similar circumstances. 



Some notes follow, on the feeding habits of the two vultures. It may 

 be stated first, that a common method of approach, in the case of Catharista, 

 is a rapid and direct hurtling down, with the wings half-closed, producing 

 a loud rushing sound. This brings the bird to within a hundred feet or 

 less of the ground. 



"I watched some Vultures at a dead horse to-day, and was much inter- 

 ested, although I could not, like Wilson, steal up until my feet were within 

 a yard of the horse's legs, and sit down. The Black Vultures settle down 

 in a much less dignified way than the Turkey Vultures: they begin, frorrt 



