196 
THE WILSON BULLETIN — December, 1922 
At all three nests the general behavior was much the same. 
During the time they were under observation one or the other 
of the parents brooded almost constantlv while the one off duty 
was generally to be found sitting within a few yards of the nest 
except when feeding. The parent usually left the nest as any 
one entered the blind and often remained away for a half hour 
or more. On returning the bird usually alighted some distance 
from Ihe nest and slowly approached with mincing steps often 
taking five minutes or more to reach the nest. 
At one nest one bird sat on the nest while the other occupied 
a branch directly over it. Both of these birds were very nervous 
*■ 
and at the least movement or noise from within the blind both 
fluttered to the ground and went through the familiar perform- 
ance used bv many birds to draw intruders away from their nest 
l V 
or young;. 
t- o 
At the third nest the birds were much less suspicious, and 
after spending some time for three different days the method of 
feeding was observed. On July 4 the nest was watched for five 
hours. The only action that occurred during that time was the 
relieving of the brooding bird after the first three hours. 
On July G, when the blind was entered at 5:30 a. m., the 
adult left the nest and did not return until 7 :15 a. in., when it 
came into the nest tree and very deliberately began to walk 
toward the nest. Ten minutes were taken in covering a distance 
of as many feet. This bird had a peculiar habit of settling on 
the nest which may or may not be the usual thing among mourn- 
ing doves. When within two or three feet of the nest the parent 
began to ruffle the feathers and roll the body from side to side, 
continuing this performance until the nest was reached. Two 
or three more rolling movements to settle comfortably on the 
nest followed, after which the bird became motionless save for 
an occasional slow turning of the head. Life at a mourning dove 
nest became exceedingly monotonous for the observer, but settling- 
down for a long wait 1 determined to stay all day if necessary to 
see the feeding operation. Fortunately this was not necessary 
as at 7 :30 a. m. a squab backed toward the blind and getting 
from beneath the parent raised its head and mutely begged for 
food. The adult (presumably the female) responded immedi- 
ately by opening her beak and allowing the nestling to thrust its 
beak into one corner of her mouth. Hhe then shut her beak on 
that of the nestling and after remaining motionless for a short 
time began a slow pumping motion of the head. The muscles 
of her throat could be seen to twitch violently at intervals, con- 
