350 BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



and, when it perches, is obliged to stand on the branch length- 

 wise, in order to lean upon its breast. Beside this, the closed 

 wings of the former do not extend so far as the tail by two 

 inches, while those of the night hawk are longer than the tail. 

 In the night hawk the tail is forked, while that of the whip- 

 poorwill is rounded. It shows that Wilson labored in a field 

 which had been very little explored, and it is wonderful that 

 he did not leave more errors to be corrected, and deficiencies to 

 be supplied, by later observers. 



PIGEON TRIBE. 



The CAROLINA TURTLE DOVE, Columba Carolinensis, is 

 common enough at the western part of Massachusetts, where it 

 is called the Mourning Dove, from the plaintiveness of its call, 

 which is often heard in the woods. The sound seems expres- 

 sive of deep affliction, but the bird that makes it is very happy, 

 and quite unconscious of the interest which he inspires. When 

 these doves come to the north in the spring, they disperse in 

 small parties, and it is not often that more than two are seen 

 together. They are generally met with in roads through the 

 forest, to which they resort in order to dust themselves and 

 swallow gravel. They are by no means shy, though unobtru- 

 sive in their manners ; they are sometimes seen among the 

 domestic poultry, as they go to be fed at the farmer's door. 

 Occasionally they join the flocks of passenger pigeons, and are 

 taken in snares, together with their relations. Their food con- 

 sists of grain and small acorns, together with poke, partridge, 

 and dogwood berries, in their season. They are said to be 

 easily tamed, and to raise their young in confinement ; if so, 

 they would reward attempts at domestication, since the flesh is 

 pronounced equal to that of the woodcock, by those who pro- 

 fess to be judges of such matters. 



