Open Nests in Woods, Thickets, Swampy Thickets 



The breeding habits are described as almost identical with 

 those of the northern wild turkey. 



These magnificent birds are still fairly common in parts of 

 Florida, though much less so than they were a few years ago. 

 When 1 was in southern Florida in 1 892 I sometimes saw in one 

 day as many as seven droves, numbering in all from twenty-five to 

 forty birds. During the seventeen days I camped out 1 secured 

 thirty-two specimens without very much trouble. This was 

 just before the mating season. The droves contained from three 

 to nine birds, and where both sexes were together the males 

 were usually birds of the previous year. The older males were 

 most often in flocks of about three, with no hens ; the very old 

 gobblers were invariably solitary. The males ranged in weight 

 from eight pounds (yearling birds) to twenty-three pounds. The 

 hens weighed rather under seven and a half pounds. 



316. Mourning Dove: Zenaidura macroura (Linn.) 



Eggs white. 



See Page 153, Chapter VIII. 



317. Zenaida Dove: Zenaida zenaida (Bonap.) 



Eggs white. 



See Page 133, Chapter VIII. 



320. Ground Dove; Mourning Dove: Columbigallina 

 passerina terrestris Chapm. 



Adult 3 — Various shades of "dove colour" ; breast somewhat 

 spotted ; iridescent feathers forward of the shoulder ; bill 

 red. 



Adult ? — Grayer. Length — 6.75. 



Breeding Range — The Gulf States and Florida, north to North 

 Carolina. 



The nest is a flimsy structure of twigs, with sometimes straw 

 or pine needles. It is placed either on the ground or in bushes, 

 rarely at any height from the ground. 2 white eggs are laid. 

 Size — .85 X .65. 



The Ground Dove is easily recognised from its size alone, it 



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