158 BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



in Kentucky was found to contain over 7,000 weed-seeds. They are regarded as 

 game-birds in North Carolina, and many are annually shot, particularly in the 

 early autumn. 



FIG. 118. MOUENING DOVE. 



The nest is a frail structure of sticks and twigs placed on the ground, on stumps, 

 or the limbs of trees. Two white, elliptical eggs are deposited. In the mating 

 season doves may often be seen sailing through the upper air much after the man- 

 ner of some of our small hawks. 



Genus Chsemepelia (Swains.) 

 141. Chsemepelia passerina terrestris (Chap.). GROUND DOVE. 



Description. Grayish olive, with bluish gloss, the head and breast vinaceous in male. Female 

 duller. L., 6.00-7.00; W., 3.00-3.50; T., 2.50. 



Remarks. -May be easily told from the Mourning Dove, the only other North Carolina species, 

 by its small size and short tail. 



Range. -Southeastern States. 



Range in North Carolina. Occurs more or less rarely in the eastern section. 



FIG. 119. GROUND DOVE. 



This is one of our rarest birds, having a much more southerly habitat than the 

 preceding species. North Carolina is on the extreme northern limit of its range, 

 and definite knowledge of its occurrence is very limited. Two records from Bun- 

 combe and two from Craven County are all that we have had until recently. On 

 October 7, 1911, however, a specimen was killed near Wilson by L. T. Edwards, 



