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THE MOURNING DOVE. 



name Turtle Dove, while not strictly applied to any New World species, may^ 

 be allowed to pass in the case of this one because of the prophet who said 

 "We mourn sore like Doves." The familiar long-drawn, calling notes of 

 the male Mourning Dove have indeed a pensive sadness about them which 

 brings the bereaved soul face to face with its own grief again, but there 

 in them a wealth of tenderness, a world of adoration, for they are love notes 

 and speak only of a worthy passion. 



The Wild Doves are model lovers, and are chieflv known for their dc- 



NEST AND EGGS OF THE MOURNING DOVE. 



Photo by the Author. 



mesticity. During the mating season they vary the monotony of the ordi- 

 nary whistling flight by sailing about in graceful curves on stiffened noiseless 

 wings. There is always an abundance of billing and cooing ; and love-making, 

 it is to be feared, often interferes somewhat with the practical side of house- 

 keeping. At least the young wife is not a good house-builder, altho she may 

 be, and doubtless is, a kind mother. 



A Dove's nest is the symbol of frailty. A few careless sticks or straws 

 are laid together in a platform and lodged at a moderate height in the crotch 



