177 
extinct Passenger Pigeon, but is considerably smaller than that bird — -wing under 6 inches 
instead of over 8. It is similar in colour to females and juveniles of that species, but quite 
distinct from adult males. The breast is light purplish pink instead of distinctly red, the 
head is pale fawn colour with but little bluish cast, the back is olive-fawn, and there is in 
all but the most immature plumages a small black spot on the side of the neck below the 
ear. Four middle tail feathers are dark to the tip (compare Figure 200 with 199). 
The White-winged Dove has occurred on Vancouver island and is a bird of similar 
size and colour. It has a round tail, however, and a large white patch on the wings that 
this species never has. 
Nesting. A loose nest of sticks in brushy thickets, occasionally on the ground. 
Nests alone and not in communities. 
Distribution. North America, from southern Canada to Panama and the West 
Indies. 
SUBSPECIES. The type form of the species inhabits the West Indies and some of the 
adjoining mainland. The subspecies of eastern North America is the Carolina Mourning 
Dove Zenaidura macroura carolinensis. Throughout most of the west the Western Mourn- 
ing Dove Zenaidura macroura marginella occurs. It is paler and greyer in colour and 
slightly larger in size than the eastern bird, but the difference is slight, and one of averages 
rather than individual specimens. If the form is demonstrable, it extends east in Canada 
to include Manitoba. A dark, heavily coloured form, the Dusky Mourning Dove Zen- 
aidura macroura caurina, has lately been officially recognized from the coast of Oregon and 
would be the one most likely to occur on the southern British Columbia coast. 
Though the Passenger Pigeon has disappeared entirely, the smaller 
Mourning Dove still exists and probably has greatly increased with the 
clearing of the country. The general food habits of the two birds were 
much alike except in the proportion of the various food elements. The 
Mourning Dove eats mast readily, but mast formed the principal food of 
the Pigeon which was, therefore, more of a woodland bird. The Mourning 
Dove is of more solitary habits and rarely goes in flocks of any size. It 
nests entirely alone. This may be a large factor in its continued existence 
where its larger and originally more numerous relative has failed. Disease 
could not spread through the ranks so thoroughly and any other calamity 
that might affect individuals or small bodies would not involve the species 
as a whole. In many sections the Dove is regarded as a game-bird, but such 
status is not recognized by law anywhere in Canada. Numbers are killed, 
however, incidental to other sport, in spite of legal protection, and the life 
of the species is not an undisturbed one. It is, however, a strong and 
thriving race and is in little immediate danger. 
Its long-drawn mournful note of ‘ ‘ Oh-woe-woe-woe ’ * is well known 
and has given the name to the species. It has a peculiar quality like that 
produced by blowing softly into the neck of an empty bottle. 
Economic Status. Though feeding largely upon mast (acorns, beech- 
nuts, and other soft-shelled tree-fruit) it eats grain readily and a con- 
siderable amount of insect food and weed-seed. Most of the grain it takes 
is waste. Seed properly planted and covered is absolutely safe from it 
for it never scratches. No serious unpreven table harm can be proved 
against it and the good it does is positive. 
319. White-winged Dove. Melopelia asiatica. L, 12. Similar to the Mourning Dove 
in size and general coloration, but with a round tail and much white on the wings. 
Distinctions. A Mourning Dove with a round tail white-tipped except for the centre 
feathers, and a pronounced white patch on the wings including secondaries and their coverts. 
Field Marks. A Mourning Dove with above characters. 
Distribution. Southeastern California east to Texas and southward. Also Florida 
and some of the West Indies. Casual visitor northward on the coast and single records for 
the state of Washington and southern Vancouver island. 
91054— 12 
