administrators felt that some action mst be taken for its restoration. 
Its numerical status was in fact considered to be similar to that of the 
migratory waterfowl at the end of the shooting season of 1934. 
The situation in the western states is not so serious but even in that 
region the evidence indicates that there has been a steady and progressive 
decline in the numerical strength of the mourning dove. The apparent 
reason is excessive shooting through long seasons. 
White-winged Dove 
Research on the white-winged dove was continued both in Arizona and 
Texas, and was extended also into Mexico. The objective is information on 
which a program of sound management may be based. Reports available at 
this writing very definitely raise the question as to whether an open 
season on the western race should be permitted pending the formation of 
a management plan. 
Due to the restricted range of this species in the United States, 
reports from volunteer observers are not numerous but in those received 
Guring the fall of 1940, there was unanimity of opinion that the whitewing 
had decreased since the fall of 1939. 
Biologist Johnson A. Neff, of the Food Habits Section, again studying 
this species in the field, devoted the season of 1940 to investigations in 
Arizona, in the course of which he had valuable assistance from officers 
of the Division of Game Management of the Fish and Wildlife Service, and 
of the State Game and Fish Department. As a part of his program many 
wardens, sportsmen, and others were interviewed and requested to state 
their opinion as to the abundance of the whitewings compared with that of 
5 to 10 years ago. No statement was accepted unless the conversation 
showed that the individual concerned spent considerable time out of doors, 
had a fair and practical viewpoint on the game situation, and appeared to 
appreciate the principles of conservation. Every observer so qualified 
agreed that the species had steadily decreased, estimated percentages for 
the 5 to 10 year period running from 50% to 90%. 
The investigation started in 1940 in the lower Rio Grande Valley of 
Texas, by Dr. G. B. Saunders, biologist of the Central Flyway, has been 
continued. Dr. Saunders has again been relieved of summer cuty on the 
Canadian waterfowl breeding sroundcs in order that the whitewing investiga— 
tion may be pressed to an early conclusion. With the cooperation of the 
State Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission, and assignment of personnel from 
a Federal Aid (Pittmnan-Robertson) project, the work has been materially 
expanded. 
The range of these birds in Texas is not extensive and curing the 
nesting season they are confined chiefly to the ebony wooclands of the Rio 
Grande Valley. No other habitat seems to be acceptable at that season and 
as these thickets continue to be cleared, the progressive concentration of 
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