CAROLINA PIGEON, OR TURTLE DOVE. 291 
The turtle dove is a general inhabitant, in summer, 
y the United States, from Canada to Florida, and 
''om the sea coast to the Mississippi, and far to the 
^cstivard. They are, however, partially migratory in 
'he Northern and Middle States ; and collect together 
** North and South Carolina, and their corresponding 
h^rallels, in great uumhers, during the winter. On the 
of February, iu the neighhourhood of Newhern, 
pOrth Carolina, 1 saw a Hock of turtle doves of many 
■JUndreds ; in other places, as I advanced fartluw south, 
Wticularly near the Savannah river, iu Georgia, the 
j’Oods wei-e swarming with them, and the whistling of 
‘heir wings was heard iu every direction. 
, On their return to the north in March, and early in 
^I’ril, they disperse so generally over the country, that 
here are rarely more than three or four seen together, 
^ost freipiently only two. Here they commonly lly in 
,^'*■8, re-sort constantly to the public roads to dust 
j.hemsolves and procure gravel; are often seen in the 
^riucr’s yard before the door, the stable, barn, and 
j itter outhouses, iu search of food, seeming little inferior 
^' familiarity, at such times, to the domestic' pigeon, 
jjhtty often mix with the poultry while they are fed in 
ottnioruiug, visit the yard and adjoining road many 
a-day, and the pump, creek, horse trough, and 
for water. 
Their llight is quick, vigorous, and always accom- 
™nied by a jceculiar whistling of the wings, by which 
can easily he distinguished from the w'ild pigeon. 
Of ^ fly with great swiftness, alight on trees, fences. 
Of ground indiscriminately ; are exceedingly foncl 
1 IJiickwheat, hempseed, and Indian corn ; feed on the 
i ^itts of the holly, the dogwood, and poke, hnckle- 
Ij '^'ttes, partridgeherries, ancl the small acorns of the 
Oak and shrub oak. They devour large quantities 
g. ^ttvcl, and sometiracis pay a visit to the kitchen 
jttfiu for peas, for which they have a particular regard, 
fhi-s part of Peuns 3 dvania, they commence building 
tl'e beginning of May. The nest is very rudely 
ttstructed, generally iu an evergreen, among the thick 
