NORTH AMERICA. 



101 



ers, and such insects as frequent the bark of rotten timber. They birld their nests on the 



ground, and the young, when first liatched, can 

 hardly be distinguished from a piece of mouldy 

 earth. 



The Passenger Pigeon (Columba migrato- 

 ria) is well known in all parts of the United 

 States. The head, throat, and upper parts of 

 the body are ash-colored ; the sides of the 

 neck are of a glossy variable purple ; the fore- 

 part of the neck and breast are vinaceous ; the 

 under parts of a similar color but paler ; and 

 there is a crimson mark round the eyes. These 

 birds visit the different parts of North Ame- 

 rica in such immense flocks, that we may justly 

 apply to them Milton's expression of "num- 

 bers numberless." 



nTiip-poor-Will. The Carolina Pigeon or Turtle Dove (C. 



Carolinensis) . This beautiful bird is a gen- 

 eral inhabitant, in the summer, of the United States from Canada to Florida, and from the 

 sea-coast to the Mississippi, and far to the westward. They pass the winter in great numbers 



Passenger Pigeon. Carolina Pigtvri. or Turtle Dove 



in North and South Carolina. It is a favorite bird with all those who love to wander among the 

 woods in spring, and listen to their varied harmony. They will hear many a singular and 

 striking performance, but none so mournful as this. Its notes are four ; the first is somewhat 

 the highest and preparatory, seeming to be uttered with an inspiration of llie breath, as if the 

 afflicted creature were just recovering its voice from the last convulsive notes of distress ; this 

 is followed by three long, deep, and mournful moanings, that no one can listen to without 

 sympathy. A pause of a few minutes ensues, and then again the solemn voice of scrrow is 

 renewed as before. There is however nothing of real distress in all this ; quite the reverse. 

 The bird who utters it wantons by the side of his beloved partner, or invites her by his call to 

 some favorite, retired, and shady retreat. 



The nest is very rudely constructed, generally in an evergreen, among the thick foliage of a 

 vine, in an orchard on an apple tree, and sometimes on the ground. It is composed of twigs 

 and roots, making an almost flat nest. The flesh of this bird is considered superior to that of 

 the wild Pigeon. It is 12 inches long ; it has a beautiful, glossy-black eye. The general 

 color is a fine slate blue, reflecting in some part the most vivid tints of gieen, gold, and crim- 

 son. The legs and feet are red, seamed with white. 



The Wild Turkey [JWeleagris gallipavo) abounds in the forests and unsettled parts of the 

 Union. T'ley are very rare in the northern and eastern parts of the United States They were 



