Birds of Canada. 73 



ORDER IV. 



SUB-ORDER COLUMB^. 

 FAMILY COLUMBID^E. THE DOVES. 



Sub-Family COLUMBINE. 

 Ectopistes migratoria. The Wild Pigeon. 



This well-known bird is a resident of Canada, 

 except in the most severe cold weather. Its 

 migrations are made solely to obtain food. They 

 pass from one section of the continent to another 

 in immense flocks. The nests are usually built 

 in the forked branch of a tree. I have often 

 seen thirty or forty nests in one tree. The eggs 

 are two in number, pure white, with a slight red 

 tint. Feeds upon grain and seeds. 



Zenaidura carolinensis. The Carolina Dove. 



The Carolina Dove is an irregular summer 

 visitor in Canada. Color, above, blue, overlaid 

 with olive-brown ; under parts, light reddish- 

 brown ; breast, purplish-red ; bill, black ; feet, 

 yellow. This dove sits upon the ground during 

 the night. Nests, in a tree ; eggs, two in 

 number, pure white. 

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