COLUMDID E — THE PIGEONS. 3g5 



feeding in the wheat and corn fields. It was also observed as far west as 

 Santa Criiz, in Sonora. 



Dr. Newberry met with this Dove in all parts of 'Jalifoi'iiia and Oregon 

 visit(\d by him. Dr. Suckley mentions it as very abundant throiigli- 

 out AVashington Territory and Oregon. At Fort Steilacoom it arrives and 

 deimrts at about the same time as the Culumwi fasciatn. Dr. Cooper states 

 it to be common about prairies and farms of the interior, and ])robably some 

 remain all winter in the Territory, though they rarely appear at any time 

 near tlie coast border. 



Dr. K'Minerly found this species about Hill AVilliams Fork, in New 

 Mexico, and also in the vicinity of San Antonio, Texas, and along the Gulf 

 coast; but travelling west about two hundred miles from the former place, 

 they jcemed sudchiiily to disapjiear. 



According to Mr. Salvin, this Dove was very al)undant about Duefias, in- 

 habiting only the open districts. It congregated in flocks, and was resident. 

 Mr. G. C. Taylor frequently met with it in Honduras, wiiere they were 

 generally seen in small Hocks of from six to ten. 



Dr. Woodliouse mentions that the mournful notes of these birds were to 

 be heard continually throughont the Indian Territory and the greater part 

 of Texas and New Mexico, in all of which countries it breeds. 



Mr. Dresser found this Dove a familiar resident in every part of Texas 

 and ^lexico that he visited. He saw many of tlieir nests, all slightly 

 built of sticks placed on the branch of a niesquite tree or busli, containing 

 two pure-white eggs. In two instances the nesti were on the ground. He 

 met with one nest with fresh eggs as late as September 7. 



These l)irds are migratory in the Northern States, and partially so in the 

 Middle States, their movements being irregular, and evidently dependent 

 upon the abundance of their food. In North and South Carolina, and in 

 otiier parts of tiie country south of Pennsylvania, tliey collect together in 

 the winter months in considerable numbers. Wilson states that on tlie 2d 

 of February he saw a Hock of many hundreds of these birds near Newbern, 

 N. C. ; find near tlie Savannah River, in Georgia, the woods were swarming 

 with them. They return to the North in March or early in April, and dis- 

 jierse very generally over the country in pairs, rarely more than two or 

 three of tliese being seen together. They are then occasionally to be seen 

 in roads, dusting themselves or procuring gravel. Where not molested, tiioy 

 often visit the farm-yards, and even occasionally feed witii tlie poultry, take 

 water from the drinking-places of the cattle, and become i)artially domesti- 

 cated. 



When their breeding-season is over, usually early in August, they again 

 collect in small Hocks, which unite in larger collections when they move 

 southward in their migrations. 



Their flight is rapid, vigorous, and strong, and the flapping of their wings 

 is accompanied by a peculiar whistling sound. They can fly with great 



vol,. III. 49 



