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BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



The Wild Turkey although more brilliant in color has a very close re- 

 semblance to the domestic turkey, and some old residents affirm that 

 the genuine "Wild Turkey is now very rarely seen in this state. They 

 believe the so-called Wild Turkeys found in the wooded and mountain- 

 ous regions to be domestic birds which have wandered off and become 

 equally as wild and cunning as the typical Mealeagris gallopavo, which 

 in former years was abundant in Pennsylvania. This bird nests on the 

 ground ; eggs a little smaller, but otherwise very similar to those of our 

 domestic turkeys. The food consists chiefly of cereals, berries, acorns, 

 chestnuts, and other vegetable materials. 



ORDER COLUMBJ!. PIGEONS. 



FAMILY COLUMBID^. PIGEONS. 



The Wild Pigeon and the Mourning Dove are the only species of this family found 

 in Pennsylvania. These birds never lay more than two eggs, which are pure white 

 and unspotted. The Pigeon nests in trees, and the Dove is generally found nesting 

 in trees or bushes, but sometimes the latter bird nests on the ground. In former 

 years Wild Pigeons were abundant in this state, where they bred annually in im- 

 mense numbers, but for the past six or eight years, but few of these birds have been 

 found here, and when now found breeding in this commonwealth they are observed 

 in single pairs, or in small flocks. The Dove is common and generally distributed 

 throughout the state. When not breeding Doves are found in flocks ; and in many 

 of the southern counties they remain during all months of the year. "The gizzard 

 is large and muscular, particularly in the species that feed on seeds and other hard 

 fruits ; the gullet dilates to form a circumscribed crop divided into lateral halves, or 

 tending to that state. This organ at times secretes a peculiar milky fluid, which, 

 mixed with macerated food, is poured by regurgitation directly into the mouth of the 

 young ; thus the fabled ' pigeon's milk ' has a strong spice of fact, and in this remark- 

 able circumstance we see probably the nearest approach, among birds, to the char- 

 acteristic function of mammalia." Coues. 



