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 I was in southern Florida in 1892 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 I 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 133, Chapter VIII. 
317. Zenaida Dove: Zenaida zenaida (Bonap.) 
Eggs white. 
See Page 133, Chapter VIII. 
320. Ground Dove; Mourning Dove: Columbigallina 
passerina terrestris Chapm. 
Adulé &—Various shades of ‘‘ dove colour” ; breast somewhat 
spotted ; iridescent feathers forward of the shoulder ; bill 
red. 
Adult 9—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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