80 



47. [300] Bonasa umbellw (Linn.). Ruffed Grouse. 



As late as 1886 the Ruffed Grouse was a common resident in Mon- 

 roe County (C. H. B.), and in 1887 was frequently seen in the hills north- 

 east of town (B. W. E.), and was rather common in deep woods (W. S. 

 B.). These phrases are far from indicative of the occurrence of the 

 Ruffed Grouse at present. In four years of continuous field-Avork but 

 one bird has been observed each year. April 7, 1901, a splendid male 

 was seen; March 23, 1902, one was found dead; Sept. 23, 1902, one 

 flew through a window into a house, and March 14, 1903, one was 

 seen in a dense, tangled and wild tract of woods which was swept 

 by a hurricane several years ago (P. J. H.). It is in this, place that 

 the Ruffed Grouse will probably persist longest in this county, and it 

 may be found there in sparing numbers for several years. Three were 

 seen in this locality on April 9, 1904, and two more on April 10. In Brown, 

 the adjoining county east, the Ruffed Grouse was classed as common 

 as late as 1894 (E. M. K.). 



48. [316] Zenaidura macroura (Linn. ). Mourning Dove.* Figs. 7-10. 

 Common resident, less numerous in winter, though it is sometimes 



seen in bands of four to twelve in this season. They become common 

 after the first week of March, and the dates are rather regular March 

 8, '01, March 9, '02, March 8, '03. A bird of even distribution, equally 

 liable to be met w T ith in thickets or more open woods or in plowed lands 

 or weedy fields. A most attractive creature of beautiful appearance 

 and pleasing manner, in tlie mating season filling the air with the 

 sonorous melody of his love. 



The point of greatest interest in regard to the Mourning Dove is 

 its early nesting. Mr. A. W. Butler says: "They begin cooing about the 

 middle of March. * * * They mate early, and their nests, with com- 

 plement of eggs are often found early in April April 4, Franklin 

 County." B. W. Evermann found a nest and set of eggs here April 

 17, 1886. In the last few years, however, nests and eggs have been 

 found at much earlier dates. In 1901, the first nest was found March 

 17; no eggs were seen, however, until April 7 and April 10. Those found 

 on the latter date w r ere hatched April 14, therefore they must have been 

 laid about on 1 the first and second days of April. The nest was in a 

 tangle of vines on a rail fence. In 1902 the record was as follows: 

 Cooing March 7 nest complete March 27 one egg seen March 28. This 



