MOURNING DOVE 



316. Zenaidura macroura carolinensis. 12 in. 



Upperparts olive-brown; below, buffy-gray; a small 

 black mark on the ears above the iridescent neck patch. 



These birds never flock as Passenger Pigeons did, 

 traveling in companies of six to a dozen, and they have 

 no common nesting or roosting places, but nest any- 

 where in the woods, orchards or vines. As they are "*T\ 

 not often hunted, they are not shy, and in some local- 

 ities are very tame, especially when they are breeding. 1 

 Their food consists of seeds, grain, berries and insects, 1 

 most of which they get from the ground. They nest ] 

 either in trees, bushes or on the ground, most often 

 the former. Their nests are very frail platforms, com- 

 posed of only a few twigs and rootlets; when on the 

 ground, usually no nest is made. ^ Their two eggs are 

 pure white, as are those of all doves. They are loving 

 birds, always cooing to each other, and are very atten- 

 tive to their young until they are full grown. 



Range. Breeds throughout the United States and 

 southern Canada, except northern New England and 

 the Provinces. 



