OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 291) 



the love-season, the actions of the male are the exact coun- 

 terpart of those of Columba livia. They move in a rather 

 pompous manner, following the female with expanded tail 

 and drooping wings. The body is held in a perfectly erect 

 attitude, and the throat is swollen. They exhibit themselves 

 with marked dignity and grace, and ever and anon, lavish 

 the most endearing caresses upon each other. To show 

 their affection still more, and as it were, to manifest in 

 the language of gestures their willingness to help and sup- 

 port each other under special circumstances, each introduces 

 its bill into the mouth of the other and disgorges the 

 contents of its crop, in the same manner as it feeds 

 its young. 



Nidification takes place remarkably early ; possibly, in 

 some instances, as early as the middle of April. They 

 nest in tall trees at a convenient distance from water, to 

 which they frequently resort in great numbers. From 

 fifty to a hundred nests were observed by Audubon in the 

 same tree, and generally at a great height. At present, 

 they do not apparently breed in large communities, but 

 in isolated pairs, at a great distance from each other. The 

 nests are generally constructed in low trees, seldom at a 

 greater elevation than twelve feet. 



Externally, the nest is composed of a modicum of dry 

 twigs ; it is usually lined with smaller twigs, and, oc- 

 casionally, with dry stubble. The materials are laid 

 crosswise, and display little, if any, architectural skill. The 

 resemblance to the nest of the Carolina Dove, and the com- 

 mon domesticated Pigeon when the latter nidificates on 

 joists in barns, is very close. The external diameter 

 varies from six to seven inches, and the height is not more 

 than two and a half inches. The cavity is exceedingly 

 superficial, and the eggs are with difficulty prevented from 

 rolling out. 



In the vicinity of Shelbyville, Ky., in the time of Wilson, 

 existed an extensive breeding-place, which consisted of n 



