42 
BIRDS OF DURHAM AND VICINITY. 
rare up to \vithin twenty-five years. I have not known one to be 
killed or even seen for at least fifteen years. This section used to be 
a favored resort for pigeons, and many fell victim to net and gun. As 
an article of food, they were one of the household staples, in the fall, 
when nuts and grain were ripe. This pigeon is sometimes confounded 
with the Mourning Dove, to which it bears some resemblance in form, 
but the dove is much smaller, and lacks the splendid coloring of the 
Wild Pigeon. 
Zenaidura macroura. -Mourxixg Dove. 316. 
The Mourning, or Turtle Dove, is of irregular but not rare occur- 
rence. In 1898 several were seen at various times between April and 
the middle of December, the fifteenth of the latter month being the 
latest date of its occurrence I have been able to record. When 
flushed the vibration of its wings makes a whistling sound that is very 
noticeable. It has fed on weed seeds, whenever I have observed it, 
and W'hile on the ground is very busy with its gleaning, stopping only 
for an occasional hasty glance around for danger. W^hen thus occu- 
pied, it is easily approached. When satisfied, it goes to a tree for 
rest in preference to remaining on the ground. 
Order RAPTORES. 
Family CATxHARTID.-E. 
Catharista urubu. Black Vulture. 326. 
In the spring of 18S7 or 18S8 a Black Vulture appeared at the home 
of Oliver Dixon, butcher, at Eliot, Me. It remained there several 
days, feeding on slaughter house refuse. It alighted on the wood pile 
and outbuildings with the utmost freedom, evidently not realizing that 
it was beyond the precincts of southern protection. .Mrs. Dixon finally 
had it shot, and now is pleased to show the mounted skin to any one 
who may wish to see it. 
f\\MiLV FALCOXID.E. 
Circus hudsonius. Marsh Hawk. 331. 
The Marsh Hawks are rather uncommon. Their habit of harrying 
for their prey over fields and meadows brings them into notice where- 
ever they range, and therefore their abundance is more readily deter- 
mined than that of our other hawks. The most noticeable color- 
characteristic of this species is its white rump, which is usually to be 
