122 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 



XXXIX. MOURNING DOVE. 



Zenaidura macroura (LiNN.). 



Summer resident; abundant; an occasional winter so- 

 journer in the southern part of the State. Begin laying 

 the last of April. 



HABITAT. The whole of temperate North America, 

 north to the British possessions, south to the West Indies 

 and Panama. 



Iris dark brown; bill black; legs and feet lake red; 

 claws horn blue. 



This familiar bird is extensively distributed through- 

 out the United States, from southern New England and 

 Washington southward; breeding throughout its range. 

 It adapts itself readily to its surroundings, and is as much 

 at home on the dry plains as in the clearings of the moist 

 woodlands. Its plumage does not appear to be affected by 

 the climate. I have specimens in the " Goss Ornithologi- 

 cal Collection " shot at Neah Bay, Washington, San Pedro, 

 Martir Isle, Gulf of California, and in Kansas, and have 

 shot the birds in New England, and in southern Central 

 America, and so far fail to find any difference in colora- 

 tion that will hold good. 



Its food consists of insects, berries and grains, the latter 

 gleaned chiefly from the fields. It is a harmless bird, that 

 by its innocent ways readily wins the heart and protection 

 of man. Its flight is vigorous and strong, and the rapid 

 strokes of its wings cause a whistling sound. During the 

 pairing season the male often circles and sails above his 

 mate, with tail expanded, and upon the ground struts about 

 with nodding head, and feathers spread in a graceful 



