CAROLINA PIGEON, OR TURTLE DOVE. 627 
of twigs, so loosely and slovenly put together as to appear 
scarcely sufficient to prevent the young from falling out. 
By the first fine days of the early southern spring we 
hear from the budding trees of the forest, or the already 
blooming thicket, the mournful call of the Carolina Tur- 
tle Dove, commencing asdt were with a low and plaintive 
sigh, a’gh coo coo coo , repeated at impressive intervals of 
half a minute, and heard distinctly to a considerable dis- 
tance through the still and balmy air of the reviving sea- 
son. This sad but pleasing note is also more distinguish- 
ed at this time, as it seeks the noon-day warmth, in 
which to utter its complaint, and where it is now heard 
without a rival. 
The flight of this species is rapid and protracted, and, 
as usual in the genus, accompanied by a very audible 
whistling noise ; they fly out often in wide circles, but sel- 
dom rise above the trees, and keep out near the skirt 
of the forest, or round the fences and fields, which they 
visit with considerable familiarity, gleaning after the crop 
has been removed, and seldom molesting the farmer, ex- 
cept by now and then raising up a few grains in sowing- 
time, which may happen to be exposed too temptingly to 
view. The usual food of this species is various kinds of 
grain and small acorns, as well as the berries of the holly, 
dogwood, poke, whortle and partridge berries, with other 
kinds, according to the season. In the nuptial period, 
the wide circling flight of the male is often repeated, 
around his mate, towards whom he glides with wings 
and tail expanded, and gracefully alights on the same or 
some adjoining tree, where she receives his attentions, or 
fosters her eggs and infant brood. On alighting they 
spread out their flowing train in a graceful attitude, ac- 
companying the motion by a clucking, and balancing of 
the neck and head, evincing the lively emotion and mu- 
