PIGEONS, DOVES 



(318) Leptotila fulviventris 

 brachyptera -Salvador! 



(Lat., fulvous belly; Gr., short wing). 



WHITE-FRONTED DOVE. A 

 Mexican species reaching our bound- 

 aries in soutliern Tex. Tail rounded, 

 only slightly tipped with white; 

 face white, shading into the olive- 

 brownish upper parts a coppery, 

 purplish iridescence on the back and 

 sides of neck. L., 12.25; T., 4.25. 

 (319) Melopelia asiatica 



(Linn.) {Gr., melody dove). 

 \VTIITE-WINGED DOVE; 

 SINGING DOVE. A Mexican species 

 reaching southern Tex., N. Mex. and 

 southern Fla. and casually to south- 

 ern Cal. and Col. It has a rounded 

 tail of twelve feathers, the outer ones 

 being broadly white-tipped; the wing 

 coverts are largely white, as figured. 

 L., 12.00; T., 4.25. 



At the present time there may be a few scattered pairs of 

 Wild Pigeons left; if so, they may be found nesting in any 

 of our Northern States or in interior Canada. Any nest 

 below ten feet from the ground and any in which the parent 

 shows any black on the side of the head is assuredly that of 

 the next species. 



MOURNING DOVES are rather abundant in most of 

 the United States and southern Canada. They show little 

 fear of man and will nest in his orchard trees just as readily 

 as in woodland. The nests, very shallow, frail structures of 

 twigs, may be found in almost any situation from the tops 

 of tall trees down to the ground; occasionally the two eggs 

 are laid in a bare hollow on a log, stone or stump, with no 

 lining. As usual with members of this Family, their flight is 

 very swift and accompanied by a whistling of the wings as 

 they rapidly fan the air. The dove song is, as their name 

 indicates, a long-drawn, mournful cooing, not loud, but with 

 a penetrating quality that carries it for a long distance. 



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