124 BIRDS OF ALABAMA 



Marshall, who presented it to the Biological Survey. One 

 was shot in Jackson County, Mississippi, about half a mile 

 from the Alabama line, November 13, 1915, by M. Mahorner, 

 Jr., of Mobile. 



General habits. — This dove is similar in habits to the mourn- 

 ing dove and is often found in the flocks of the latter species. 



MOURNING DOVE ; "TURTLE DOVE" : Zenaidura 

 macroura caroUnensis (Linnaeus). 



State records. — The mourning dove is an abundant and 

 widely distributed species, occurring in all parts of the State 

 and during every season. It is found in greatest numbers in 

 fall and winter, for at that season many migrants come down 

 from the Northern States. Doves are esteemed as game birds 

 and "formerly were permitted to be shot from August 1 to 

 March 1. This long open season resulted in reducing their 

 numbers considerably, but thus far the species has maintained 

 itself in moderate abundance. Under the migratory bird 

 treaty act regulations (effective IVlay 17, 1921), doves may 

 be taken only between October 16 and January 31. 



At Leighton, McCormack records this bird as a common 

 resident, and found in small flocks during the late summer, 

 fall, and winter months. On the coast, at Bayou Labatre, and 

 on Dauphin and Petit Bois Islands, Outsell reported it plenti- 

 ful in July and August, but in February and March I found 

 it very scarce in all the coast region. Only 5 birds were seen 

 on Petit Bois Island, February 12, and only a few small flocks 

 at Orange Beach in January, 1912. Peters noted a few at 

 Alabama Port in early June. The rarity of these birds in 

 that region is probably accounted for by the scarcity of suit- 

 able food in the extensive pine flats which cover a great part 

 of the country. Dr. Avery, however, reports seeing them at 

 Perdido Bay, in September, 1892, feeding on the mast of the 

 longleaf pine. 



Eggs have been found at Barachias, April 10; Coosada, 

 May 1; Huntsville (Monte Sano), May 13; Autaugaville, May 

 28 and July 8 ; Ardell, June 25 ; and Petit Bois Island, July 29 ; 

 young out of the nest were seen at Woodbine, May 10, 



