MOURNING DOVE 



316. Zenaidura macroura carolinensis. 12 in. 



Upperparts olive-brown; below, buffy-gray; a small 

 black mark on the ears above the iridescent neck patch. 



These birds never flock as Passenger Pigeons did, 

 traveling in companies of six to a dozen, and they have 

 no common nesting or roosting places, but nest any- 

 where in the woods, orchards or vines. As they are 

 not often hunted, they are not shy, and in some local 



not oiten nuniea, uiey are not sny, ana in some local- i 



ities are very tame, especially when they are breeding. 9 



Their food consists of seeds, grain, berries and insects, 



most of which they get from the ground. They nest m 



either in trees, bushes or on the ground, most often 

 the former. Their nests are very frail platforms, com- 

 posed of only a few twigs and rootlets; when on the 

 ground, usually no nest is made. Their two eggs are 

 pure white, as are those of all doves. They are loving 

 birds, always cooing to each other, and are very atten- 

 tive to their young until they are full grown. 



Range. Breeds throughout the United States and 

 southerr Canada, excfept northern New England and 

 the Provinces. 

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