The Oregon Sportsman 



Volume II OCTOBER, 1914 Number 10 



IS THE DOVE A GAME BIRD? 



As the interest increases in wild bird protection more atten- 

 tion has been given to the study of these creatures from an eco- 

 nomic standpoint. In some localities in Oregon farmers are 

 demanding the rigid protection of game birds like the bobwhite 

 and other insect and weed-seed eating birds as an aid to larger 

 and better crops. 



There is a growing sentiment throughout the United States 

 for the removal of the dove from the list of game birds. Two 

 reasons are advanced for this action, one is from a sentimental 

 standpoint, the other from an economic point of view. 



In an editorial treating of the Value of Birds on the Farm the 

 Editor of Forest and Stream says : 



"One of the game birds, the mourning dove, is especially 

 worthy of mention as a useful seed-eating bird. While the dove 

 sometimes takes grain, most of this seems to be waste grain taken 

 after harvesting is over. These birds are most abundant, how- 

 ever, in waste lands where weeds abound, turkey mullein forming 

 one of their favorite foods, while tumble weed and mustard are 

 also eaten extensively. 



"The immense numbers of weed seeds destroyed by these 

 birds is shown in the fact that the stomach of one dove contained 

 9200 seeds of different weeds, while the stomachs of two other 

 doves contained 6400 and 7500 respectively. If three doves at 

 one meal can destroy 23,100 weed seeds and thus prevent the 

 spread of that many noxious weeds, how much good could be 

 accomplished by the doves on one farm in one county or through- 

 out the state. 



"In the United States alone the annual loss from weeds has 

 been estimated at $400,000,000. In the face of these startling 

 figures we can well realize the importance of protecting the 

 useful seed-eating birds, one of nature's best means of checking 

 just such losses." 



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