T4 Bird Life Stories 



The flight of this species is rapid and protracted, and, as 

 usual in the genus, accompanied by a very audible whistling 

 noise. The birds fly out often in wide circles, but seldom rise 

 above the trees, and keep out near the skirts of the forest or 

 around the fences and fields, which they visit with consider- 

 able familiarity, gleaning after the crop has been removed, 

 and seldom molesting the farmer except by now and then 

 picking up a few grains in sowing time, which may happen to 

 be exposed too temptingly to view. 



The usual food of this species is various kinds of grains 

 and small acorns, as well as the fruit of the holly, dogwood, 

 poke, whortle and partridge berries, with other kinds according 

 to the season. In the nuptial period the wide circling flight 

 of the male is often repeated around his mate, toward whom 

 he glides with tail and wings expanded, and gracefully alights 

 on the same or some adjoining tree, where she fosters her 

 eggs and infant brood, v On alighting they spread out their 

 flowing trains in a graceful attitude, accompanying the motion 

 by a clucking and balancing of the neck and head evincing the 

 lively emotion and mutual affection they cherish. When the 

 female confines herself to her eggs her constant mate is seen 

 feeding her with a delicate and assiduous attention. 



The roosting places preferred by this Carolina Turtle- 

 dove are among the long and unshorn grass of neglected 

 fields, in the slight shelter of corn-stalks, or the borders of 

 meadows. They also occasionally seek harbor among the 

 rustling and falling leaves, and amidst the thick branches of 

 various evergreens. But in every situation, even though in 

 darkness, they are so vigilant as to fly at the instant of 

 approach. They do not huddle together, but take up their 

 nest in solitude, though a whole flock may be in the same 

 field. They also frequently resort to the same roosting places. 



