The Western Mourning Dove 



solemn tenderness of the Mourning Dove, but they are such as have 

 never loved, or who, having loved, have seen life's wine turned into 

 vinegar. They do not wish to remember. For forgetfulness and indiffer- 

 ence are alike impossible 

 for those who listen. 

 Wheeew hewh heeeeoooo 

 hewh heeeeoooo. Voice of 

 the heart! the heart ex- 

 pressive, yet forever 

 unexpressed ; achieving, 

 yet forever uncontent ; 

 aspiring and forever 

 aiming higher, higher, 

 higher! Voice of the 

 spirit art thou, O gentle 

 bird ! Wheeew hewh 



heeeeoooo hewh heeeeoooo. 



These familiar, long 

 drawn ''mourning'' 

 notes are uttered only 

 by the male, and for all 

 their tenderness they 

 have a penetrating qual- 

 ity, which makes them 

 one of the most insistent 

 elements in the chorus of 

 springtime. Besides these the birds make no other sound, unless we count 

 a musical wing-note which is made when suddenly taking flight, and which 

 is so distinct that one can never be quite satisfied that it is not a vocal out- 

 cry. The same note, moderated, is heard in mid-flight, and also with 

 renewed force when the birds are checking their flight or alighting; and it 

 is so exactly timed with the wing movement that we must conclude its 

 external origin. 



The Wild Doves are model lovers and are chiefly known for their 

 domesticity. During the mating season they sometimes vary the monot- 

 ony of the ordinary whistling flight by sailing about in graceful curves on 

 stiffened, noiseless wings. There is always an abundance of billing and 

 cooing; and love-making, it is to be feared, often interferes somewhat 

 with the practical side of housekeeping. At least the young wife is not a 

 good house-builder, although she may be, and doubtless is, a kind mother. 



A Dove's nest is the symbol of frailty. A few careless sticks or straws 

 are laid together in a platform, and lodged at a moderate height in the 



1161 



Taken in San Luis Obispo County 



ON NEST IN MONTEREY CYPRESS 



Photo by the Author 



