302 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



Others have observed it in various parts of the Middle, 

 Southern, and Western States. It occurs in Mexico, 

 Central America, and in the West Indies, and is known 

 to breed in the former country, and possibly further south. 

 In Eastern Pennsylvania they are quite common during 

 the breeding-season, arriving from the Southern States as 

 early as the I5th of April when the weather is favorable, 

 but, ordinarily, not before the last of the month, and some- 

 times as late as the first of May when the season is unusually 

 backward. They are never known to be gregarious on their 

 arrival as they are farther south. They come to us in pairs, 

 and seldom more than at least three or four of these being 

 seen in every square mile of territory. Few species display 

 greater familiarity and confidence than the one under con- 

 sideration. Where undisturbed, they visit the farm-yards 

 and consort with the poultry, partaking of their food, and 

 even repair to the drinking-places of the cattle for water. 

 .V favorite place is by the roadside, where they delight to 

 dust themselves, and pick gravel. They seemingly court the 

 society of man, and, in some instances, are in a semi-domes- 

 ticated state. Individuals, however, are occasionally met 

 with, which manifest considerable shyness, and contrive to 

 keep aloof from human society, as much as possible. These 

 will be found, in the generality of instances, to be young 

 birds, which have not been able to overcome fully the timidity, 

 which they have probably inherited from their parents. Five 

 years ago, fewer nests were discovered in the immediate 

 vicinity of human habitations) than in more retired localities. 

 Now the tables have been changed. It is rarely that we 

 meet with a nest remote from such places. It is probable, 

 that the kindly spirit which man is wont to exhibit towards 

 these Doves, will be more generally diffused, and be pro- 

 ductive of the same happy consequences. Persons, partic- 

 ularly mischief-loving boys, who are accustomed to persecute 

 both beneficial and injurious birds alike, from some cause 

 or other, rarely disturb these gentle creatures. Perhaps, 



