wey 
GROUND DOVE. 409 
GROUND DOVE.—COLUMBA’ PASSERINA.— Fie. 189, Mare; 
Fig. 190, Femare. 
Lynn. Syst. 285.— Sloan. Jam. ii. 305.— Le Cocotzin, Fernandez, 24. — Buff. ii. 
559. Pl, enl. 243. — Turt. Syst. 478.— Columba minuta, Ibid. p.479.— Arct. 
me p. 828, No. 191. — Catesd. i.26.— La petite tourterelle d’Amerique, Briss. 
i. 113. ; 
CHJEMEPELIA PASSERINA.— Swainson. 
Cheemepelia, Swoain. N. Groups. Zool. Journ. No. XI. p. 361. — Columba passeri- 
na, (sub-genus Goura,) Bonap. Synop. p. 120. 
Turs is one of the least of the Pigeon tribe, whose timid and inno- 
cent appearance forms a very striking contrast to the ferocity of the 
preceding bird. Such as they are in nature, such I have endeavored 
faithfully to represent them. I have been the more particular with 
this minute species, as no correct figure of it exists in any former 
work with which I am acquainted. 
The Ground Dove is a native of North and South Carolina, Georgia, 
the new state of Louisiana, Florida, and the islands of the West In- 
dies. In the latter, it is frequently kept in cages; is esteemed excel- 
lent for the table, and honored by the French planters with the name 
of Ortolan. They are numerous in the sea islands on the coast of 
Carolina and Georgia; fly in flocks, or coveys, of fifteen or twenty ; 
seldom visit the woods, preferring open fields and plantations; are 
almost constantly on the ground, and, when disturbed, fly to a short 
distance, and again alight. They have a frequent jetting motion with 
the tail; feed on rice, various seeds and berries, particularly those of 
the toothach tree,* under or near which, in the proper season, they are 
almost sure to be found. Of' their nest, or manner of breeding, I am 
unable at present to give any account. 
These birds seem to be confined to the districts lying south of Vir- 
ginia. They are plenty on the upper parts of Cape Fear River, and in 
the interior of Carolina and Georgia; but I never have met with them 
either in Maryland, Delaware, or Pennsylvania. They never congre- 
gate in such multitudes as the Common Wild Pigeon; or even as the 
Carolina Pigeon, or Turtle Dove; but, like the Partridge, or Quail, 
frequent the open fields in small coveys. They are easily tamed ; 
have a low, tender, cooing note, accompanied with the usual gesticu- 
tions of their tribe. 
The Ground Dove is a bird of passage, retiring to the islands, and 
to the more southerly parts of the continent, on the approach of win- 
ter, and returning to its former haunts early in April. It is of a more 
slender and delicate form, and less liable to bear the rigors of cold, 
than either of the other two species common in the United States, 
both of which are found in the northern regions of Canada, as well as 
in the genial climate of Florida, 
* Nanthoxylum Clava Herculis. 
35 
