118 



and fewer each year until records of them disappeared altogether. There 

 are occasional rumours even yet of flocks occurring in out-of-the-way 

 places, in the western mountains, in Mexico or South America and else- 

 where, but in each case investigation has proved that the reports are based 

 on other species or on misinformation. For several years a large reward 

 was offered for news of a single nesting pair. Of course, the person who 

 offered the reward was flooded with reports but not a single case stood 

 examination, the reward was never earned, and was finally withdrawn. In 

 the east, the Mourning Dove was the usual basis of report, in the west the 

 Band-tailed Pigeon. Even yet rumours and circumstantial accounts of 

 Passenger Pigeons still extant appear from time to time, vouched for by 

 those who remember the bird in their childhood, but there is little doubt 

 that the species is extinct. 



Genus Zenaidura. Mourning Dove. 



316. Mourning Dove. CAROLINA DOVE. FR. LA TOURTERELLE DE LA CAROLINE- 

 Zenaidura macroura. L, 11-85. Plate XI A. 



Distinctions. Smaller size and of a browner fawn colour than the Passenger Pigeon, 

 without marked red on breast or blue on back and with small black spot on side of neck 

 below ear. Can be mistaken only for the previous species. 



Nesting. The Mourning Dove builds a loose open platform of sticks in the lower 

 branches of trees or the upper parts of bushes, rarely on the ground. Nests alone and 

 not in communities. 



Distribution. Breeds along our southern borders in eastern Canada, wintering 

 locally in the most southern parts and in the United States as far south as the tropics. 



SUBSPECIES. The Mourning Dove inhabiting the most of North America is 

 the Carolina Mourning Dove Z, m. carolinensis, which is the only subspecies generally 

 recognized as occurring in eastern Canada. The type form is entirely extralimital. 



Though the Passenger Pigeon has disappeared entirely, the smaller 

 Mourning Dove still exists and probably has greatly increased with the 

 clearing of the country. The general food habits of the two birds were 

 much alike except in the proportion of the various food elements. The 

 Mourning Dove eats mast readily, but mast formed the principal food of 

 the Pigeon which was, therefore, more of a woodland bird. The Mourning 

 Dove is of more solitary habits and rarely goes in flocks of any size. It 

 nests entirely alone. This may be a large factor in its continued existence 

 where its larger and originally more numerous relative has failed. Disease 

 could not spread through the ranks so thoroughly and any other calamity 

 that might affect individuals or small bodies, would not involve the species 

 as a whole. In many sections the Dove is regarded as a game-bird, but such 

 status is not usually recognized by law. Great numbers are killed, how- 

 ever, incidental to other sport, in spite of legal protection, and the life of the 

 species is not an undisturbed one. It is, however, a strong and thriving 

 race and is in little immediate danger. 



Its long-drawn mournful note of " Oh-woe-woe-woe " is well known 

 and has given the name to the species. It has a peculiar quality like that 

 produced by blowing softly into the neck of an empty bottle. 



Economic Status. Though feeding largely upon mast (acorns, beech- 

 nuts, and other soft-shelled tree-fruit) it eats grain readily and a con- 

 siderable amount of insect food. Most of the grain it takes is waste. 

 Seed properly planted and covered is absolutely safe from it for it never 

 scratches. No serious unpresentable harm can be substantiated against 

 it and the good it does is positive. 



