GROUND DOVE. 
305 
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 consi- 
dered 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 the birds, by Noah, to 
ascertain the state of the deluge, and returning' to the 
ark, bearing the olive leaf, as a messenger of peace and 
good tidings ; the Holy Ghost, it is also said, was seen 
to descend like a dove from heaven, &c. In addition to 
these, there is in the dove an appearance of meekness 
and innocency very interesting, and well calculated to 
secure our partiality in its favour. These remarks are 
applicable to the whole genus ; but are more particu- 
larly so to the species now before us, as being among* 
the least, the most delicate, and inoffensive of the 
whole. 
The ground dove is six inches and a quarter long ; 
bill, yellow, black at the point ; nostril, covered with a 
prominent membrane, as is usual with the genus ; iris 
of the eye, orange red ; front, throat, breast, and sides 
of the neck, pale vinaceous purple ; the feathers, 
strongly defined by semicircular outlines, those on the 
throat, centred with dusky blue ; crown and hind 
head, a fine pale blue, intermixed with purple, the 
plumage, like that on the throat, strongly defined; 
back, cinereous brown, the scapulars deeply tinged 
with pale purple, and marked with detached drops of 
glossy blue, reflecting tints of purple ; belly, pale 
vinaceous brown, becoming dark cinereous towards 
the vent, where the feathers are bordered with white ; 
wing quills, dusky outwardly, and at the tips ; lower 
sides, and whole interior vanes, a fine red chestnut, 
which shews itself a little below their coverts ; tail, 
rounded, consisting of twelve feathers, the two middle 
VOL. II. u 
