LIST OF THE BIRDS SEEN 75 



Western Mourning Dove- (Zenaidura macronra marginella). 

 Though a common breeder in the groves along the streams 

 it is but rarely seen in driving about the country. The Mourn- 

 ing Dove, also known as Turtle Dove, Wild Pigeon, etc., is 

 very plentiful especially in the autumn. It arrives from the 

 south early in April and departs in October or November, 

 depending upon the season. The cooing is one of the most 

 soothing of the notes of our groves. The free, swift flight 

 of the [Mourning Dove and the skill with which he manages 

 his airship proclaim him a traveller. As he shoots by over 

 head he cuts the air with the hiss of a bullet. Mourning 

 Doves ordinarily build a slight nest of twigs in low trees but 

 frequently they nest on the ground. 



This is one of our most useful birds feeding chiefly upon 

 weed seeds but destroying many grasshoppers in season. 

 Though doves eat considerable grain it is almost entirely the 

 stray kernels which have been spilled along the roads. 



Turkey Vulture (Carthartcs aura septentriondis). Tolerably 

 abundant summer resident about the higher buttes. Especially 

 abundant about Slim Buttes, where thirty or forty were 

 found roosting together in a large pine tree during the last 

 week of August. 



Marsh Hawk ( Circus hndsoniiis). A common summer resident 

 on the plains. The Marsh Hawk is certainly our most easily 

 recognized hawk and even it is often misidentified because 

 of the different color phases. The young have a general 

 reddish aspect while the aged birds, especially the males, 

 become quite hoary. However, they always can be known 

 by their white patch on their lower, back or rump in con- 

 .lection with their habit of flying close to the ground. They 

 never soar, never fly high, never perch in trees, and very 

 seldom on fences. 



The Marsh Hawk is of very great value to the farmer. 

 They are constantly passing to and fro over his meadows on 

 the outlook for mice and gophers. Once in a long while an 

 immature Marsh Hawk, before he has learned to catch mice 

 very well, may pick up chickens now and then. The old 

 birds apparently never bother poultry and deserve the farmer's 

 protection. 



