•218 
GROUND DOVE. 
of the West Indies. In the latter, it is frequently kept in 
cages ; is esteemed excellent for the table, and honoured by 
the French planters with the name of Ortolan. They are 
numerous in the sea islands, on the coast of Carolina, and 
Georgia ; fly in flocks, or coveys, of fifteen or twenty ; seldom 
visit the woods, preferring open fields and plantations ; are 
almost constantly on the ground, and, when disturbed, fly to 
a short distance, and again alight. They have a frequent 
jetting motion with the tail ; feed on rice, various seeds and 
berries, particularly those of the toothach tree,* under or 
near which, in the proper season, they are almost sure to be 
found. Of their nest, or manner of breeding, I am unable at 
present to give any account. 
These birds seem to be confined to the districts lying south 
of Virginia. They are plenty on the upper parts of Cape 
Fear river, and in the interior of Carolina and Georgia; but 
I never have met with them, either in Maryland, Delaware, 
or Pennsylvania. They never congregate in such multitudes 
as the common Wild Pigeon ; or even as the Carolina Pigeon, 
or Turtle Dove ; but, like the Partridge, or Quail, frequent 
the open fields in small coveys. They are easily tamed, have 
a low, tender, cooing note, accompanied with the usual gesti- 
culations of their tribe. 
The Ground Dove is a bird of passage, retiring to the 
islands, and to the more southerly parts of the continent, on 
the approach of winter, and returning to its former haunts 
early in April. It is of a more slender and delicate form, and 
less able to bear the rigours of cold, than either of the other 
two species common in the United States, both of which are 
found in the northern regions of Canada, as well as in the 
genial climate of Florida. 
The Dove, generally speaking, has long been considered 
as the favourite emblem of peace and innocence, probably 
from the respectful manner in which its name is mentioned in 
various parts of Scripture ; its being selected from among all 
Xanthoxylum clava Herculis. 
