GAME-BIRDS AND PIGEONS. 197 



"The Ground-dove is a native of North and South Carolina, 

 Georgia, the new State of Louisiana, Florida, and the islands of the 

 West Indies. In the latter it is frequently kept in cages, is esteemed 

 excellent for the table, and honored by the' French planters with the 

 name of Ortolan. They are numerous in the sea islands on the coast 

 of Carolina and Georgia; fly in flocks or coveys of fifteen or twenty ; 

 seldom visit the 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 berries." WILSON. 



17* 



