COLUMBID^E: Pigeons and Doves 



COLUMBID^E (Family Pigeons and Doves): Birds of tapering form, 

 strong, pointed wings and compact plumage, adapting them to swift flight. 

 Tail long and pointed, or shorter and square-cut. Colors dull. About a 

 dozen species occur in the United States, along the southern border, two 

 reaching northern United States, and five, of as many genera, within our 

 limits. Food mostly seeds, acorns, etc., obtained from the ground. Nests 

 mere platforms of twigs in trees, rarely on the ground. Eggs always two, 

 pure white. 



California Res. Breeds 

 in Transition Zone of moun- 

 tains, seeking somewhat lower 

 levels in winter, in flocks, when 

 numbers are greatly increased 

 by visitants from more northern 

 regions. 



Arizona S.V. Moun- 

 tains, nesting above 6000 feet. 



Bond-tailec 

 Piqeon 



Res. Breeds commonly in 

 Sonoran Zones, less so in Tran- 

 sition. Comparatively few in 

 winter, in valleys of southern 

 California and southwestern 

 Arizona. Nest a frail platform 

 of twigs, usually low in a tree; 

 sometimes on the ground. 



Vaster n 

 rburnirujDove 5 



