ground dove. 
305 
delicate form, and less able to bear the rigours of cold, 
than either of the other two species common in the 
tinited States, both of n hich are found in the northern 
fegions of Canada, as well as in the genial climate of 
f'lorida. 
Tlie dove, jg^eiierally speaking, kas ueeii consi- 
dered as the favourite emblem of peace and innocence, 
probably iVom the respecttul manner in which its 
r*ame is mentioned in various parts of Scripture ; its 
I'eing selected from among all the birds, by bloah, to 
»«certain the state of the deluge, and returning to the 
ark benrim'- the olive leaf, as a messenger of peace and 
good tidings; the Holy Ghost, it is also said, was seen 
'o descend” like a dove’ from heaven, &c. In addition to 
fliese there is in the dove an appearance of meekness 
^rvd iuuoceucy very interesting, and well calculated to 
Secure our partiality in its favour, lliese rcmaiks are 
'Applicable to the whole genus ; but are more particu- 
larly so to the species now before us, as being among 
‘he least, the most delicate, and iuolFensive ot the 
The ground dove is six inches and a rpiarter long ; 
lAill, yellow, black at the point; nostril, covered with a 
prominent membrane, as is usual with the genus ; iris 
af the eye, orange red ; front, throat, breast, and sides 
af the neck, jiale vinaceous purple ; the feathers, 
*Atroiio-ly detined by semicircular outlines, those on the 
Ihroat centred with dusky blue ; crown and hind 
lAaad, a fine pale blue, intermixed with ))uri)Ie, the 
t mage, like that on the throat, strongly detined; 
k, ”cinereous brown, the scapulars deejily tinged 
"'ith pale purjile, and marked with detached drops of 
glossy blue, rcilecting tints of purple ; belly, pale 
''•naceous brown, becoming dark cinereous towards 
IIac vent where the feathers are bordered n-ith white ; 
quills, dusky outwardly, and at the tips ; lower 
*l<les, and whole interior vanes, a line red chestnut, 
"'kich shews itself a little below their coverts ; tail, 
'■ounded, consisting of twelve feathers, the two middle 
■'■OL. II. u 
