16 



LEGHSLATISW FOE THE PROTECTIOX OP BIRDS. 



some parts of the Southwest, it is perhaps in no immediate danger of 

 extermination if the slaughter is kept within reasonable bounds. There 

 is, however, a wide diversity in the open seasons in different States. 

 As shown in the following table and diagram, dove shooting is allowed 

 during periods varying from two to nine months. (See fig. 2.) 



Open seasons for doves. 



1 The evident intention was to make the open season August 1 to March 1 (see p. 56). 



2 In Greene and Bradley counties; in Wilson County the open season extends from August 1 to April 

 1, and in Montgomery and Cheatham counties from August 1 to March 1. 



Fig. 2.— Diagram showing open seasons for doves: The shaded area indicates the months when 

 dove shooting is permitted. 



Doves feed largely on seeds, and an examination of a considerable 

 number of stomachs has shown that these include seeds of noxious 



