THE CAROLINA DOVE. 371 



grain, and berry-patches, where they eat plentifully of 

 berries : they are now fat, and very delicate eating ; and, as 

 they are much pursued by gunners, they soon become very 

 shy, and difficult of approach. 



During the mating season, and part of the period of incu 

 bation, the male has a soft, melancholy cooing note, which 

 lie utters often through the day. During the remainder of 

 the year, he seems to have no note ; for I have watched indi- 

 viduals for hours to ascertain, and never heard them emit 

 any thing but the short chuckle peculiar to all doves. 



By the first week in October, this species leaves New 

 England on its southern migration. 



