1912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 363 



in a typical chicken-like manner. Although the birds were in 

 plain view they merely remained quiet, holding their heads erect 

 in a listening attitude. Two or three of them walked in a stately 

 manner for a distance of a few feet, but it was some time before 

 the flock took wing. 



The birds were very numerous on the Leonard Creek flats, 

 where the broad expanse of country covered by sagebrush, with 

 streams intersecting it at intervals, furnished the necessary food 

 and shelter for thousands. 



Numerous small piles of sage hen droppings were noted in 

 the higher parts of the mountains. The pieces of fecal matter 

 are about an inch long and a quarter of an inch in diameter. 

 They are light cream in color and pleasantly fragrant. 



By June 23 the young were out and fully feathered (juvenal 

 plumage). Up to this date, although we had been maintaining 

 a sharp lookout for this big game bird, none was seen. It must 

 be that they are extremely quiet and cautious during the brood- 

 ing period. The largest flocks flushed, which were made up in 

 many eases of about thirty individuals, were seen during the 

 last days of July and the first week in August. At this time 

 adults and young birds were traveling in company. 



Zenaidura macroura carolinensis (Linnaeus) 

 Mourning Dove 



Distribution . — Occurred commonly at almost every point 

 touched by the expedition, being numerous in flocks May 11 at 

 Winnemueca, along the Humboldt River ; abundant in an alfalfa 

 field at Amos ; and observed daily at Quinn River Crossing. 



Hahits. — At the latter locality mourning doves were observed 

 in flocks of from three to seven individuals. They were first 

 heard on May 25, being in full voice by June 1. Two weeks later 

 at Big Creek Ranch they were observed singly or in companies 

 of two or three individuals. 



As is uisually the ease, they were most commonly flushed 

 along streams or near springs. One dove was observed perching 

 on a dead pine branch at the head of Big Creek (8000 feet). 

 A single individual was noted at the Duffer Peak Meadow (8400 

 feet). 



