156 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



315. Ectopistes migratorius (Linn.). [459] 



Passenger Pigeon. 



Hab. Deciduous forest-region of Eastern North America, west casually to Washington Territory and 

 Nevada. 



The Wild Pigeon wanders in search of food throughout all parts 

 of North America, but chiefly temperate North America east of the 

 Rocky Mountains. At times it is abundant in particular districts. The 

 greatest roosts and flights are now said to be seen in the Upper Missis- 

 sippi Valley. Of late years it has become rather scarce in localities 

 where it was once formerly abundant; and, in fact, in many places it is 

 now seen only occasionally in small flocks of a dozen or fifteen. Wil- 

 son's and Audubon's graphic accounts of the " congregated millions " 

 which they saw in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky seem hardly credible 

 to those who have not seen them. The extensive forests which once 

 served as breeding and feeding grounds have been partially or wholly 

 destroyed, and we are no longer favored with the sublime sights of 

 immense, unbroken, and apparently limitless flocks. Until about 1855, 

 these Pigeons were extremely abundant in Central Ohio, having at that 

 time a roost and breeding place near Kirkersville, Licking county, and 

 large numbers were to be seen from sunrise till nine o'clock and after, 

 flying westward from the roost, and in the afternoon about four o'clock 

 till sundown returning. At these hours they were never out of sight, 

 and often dozens of flocks were in sight at once. Dr. Kirtland states 

 that near Circleville, in 1850, one thousand two hundred and eighty- 

 five were caught in a single net in one day, and the average price for 

 the birds in Columbus was five or six cents per dozen. The Wild Pigeon 

 congregates in vast communities for the purpose of breeding, nesting 

 in trees and bushes, frequently at a considerable height from the ground, 

 and often as many as fifty and a hundred nests have been observed in 

 a single tree. The nest is a m.ere platform of sticks. The eggs are 

 usually one, never more than two in number, pure white, and broadly 

 elliptical in shape ; average size, 1.50x1.03. 



A set of two eggs of this bird, taken in 1874, i^i Iowa, are in the 

 collection of J. Parker Norris. They ar^ dull white, and measure 

 1.50 x i.oi, 1.40X .98. 



316. Zenaidura macroura (Linn.). [460]. 



Mourning Dove. 



Hab. Whole of temperate North America from Southern Maine, Canada and Oregon, south to Panama 

 and the West Indies. 



The Carolina Dove, also called Turtle Dove, is one of our best 

 known and familiar birds. Its gentle disposition, its sweet but mourn- 

 ful cooing, have made it the typical sad-toned singer in poetry and song. 



