GaME-BIRDS AND PIGEONS. 197 
“The Ground-dove is a native of North and South Carolina, 
Georgia, the new State of Louisiana, Florida, and the islands of the 
West Indies. In the latter it is frequently kept in cages, is esteemed 
excellent 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.’ WILSON. 
17* 
