610 GAME BIRDS OF CALIFOBNIA 



nests examined by him were placed in both bushes and trees at heights 

 from three to twenty-one feet above ground. He believed that these 

 birds rear two and perhaps three broods in a season, despite the fact 

 that the nesting season does not begin until the end of May. Incuba- 

 tion lasts about fourteen days and both sexes take pari in the work; 

 The young are fed on small seeds and berries of different kinds, and 

 grain when procurable. G-ravel is taken in considerable quantities to 

 assist in grinding up the seeds. Bendire believes these birds mate for 

 life. 



Ground Doves are sometimes seen in the streets of towns and espe- 

 cially about corrals. Flocks of ten to twelve are commonest, but in the 

 fall months as many as fifty may join together to feed on the ripe 

 weed and grass seeds. During the winter months they are markedly 

 fewer in numbers, and are then to be seen only in pairs. 



"Within California the Mexican Ground Dove will probably never 

 be very abundant, although .with the increase of agriculture in the 

 extreme southeastern portion of the state the birds may be expected 

 to appreciably increase in numbers. Their small size should, however, 

 gain them protection from the gun of the hunter, who can, for the 

 present at least, find ample opportunity for sport among the larger 

 game birds. 



