THE MOURNING DOVE. 13y 



47. Zenaidura macroura (LINNAEUS). 



MOURNING DOVE. 



Columba macroura LINN^US, Systema Naturae, ed. 10, 1758, 1C4 (part). 

 Zenaidura macroura, RIDGWAY, Proceedings U. S. National Museum, vm, 1885, 355. 



(B 451, C 371, R 4GO, C 544, U 310). 



GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE : Whole of temperate North America; north to Canada, 

 southern Maine and British Columbia ; south to Panama and West Indies. 



The breeding range of the Mourning Dove, also called the "Carolina" and 

 "Turtle" Dove, extends over the entire United States, from Florida and the 

 Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border, and from the Atlantic seaboard to 

 the Pacific Ocean. 



It is only a summer visitor in the northern portions of its range, and 

 occurs sparingly during this season in southern Canada, and more frequently 

 in Manitoba. On the Pacific coast it is not uncommon on Vancouver Island, 

 and it extends well into the interior of British Columbia. I have personally 

 met with it in considerable numbers, both in northern Washington and north- 

 ern Idaho. 



It winters, and is a constant resident throughout the year, in nearly all 

 the Southern States. Mr. W. W. Cooke states: "From latitude 36 south- 

 ward, this Dove can- be found regularly and abundantly throughout the 

 year. Between latitude 36 and 38 it is a regular but not an abundant 

 winter resident, occurring in flocks. North of latitude 38, although many 

 are found each winter, they are merely single birds that have found excep- 

 tionally favorable quarters." 1 



The Mourning Dove is a well-known bird, tame and gentle when not 

 molested, frequently breeding in the gardens and shrubbery near dwelling 

 houses, and often feeding in the barnyard amongst domestic fowls. They 

 never occur in such large flocks as the Passenger Pigeon, but are usually 

 found in small parties of from six to a dozen or more, and in the late fall, 

 previous to their migration, I have often flushed fifty and upward from a 

 favorite feeding ground. They like to alight in roads, where they may often 

 be seen traveling along in search of suitable food or gravel, or for the pur- 

 pose of taking a dust bath, of which they are very fond. 



In the more arid portions of the West, especially in southern Arizona, 

 I have often noticed this Dove a long way from water, but as they are 

 exceedingly strong and rapid flyers, distance is but a trifling matter to them. 

 They usually visit their regular watering places in the morning, and in the 

 evening just before sundown, and, where water holes or springs are scarce, 

 they can be seen coming from all directions in search of such localities, 

 usually in pairs or little parties of from four to six. At this time, if closely 

 watched, they are a sure guide to water; old mountaineers are well aware 



'Bulletin n, Department of Agriculture, Report on Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley, p. 109. 



