Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-09-19
DOVES
AN INTERESTING DIVISION OF THE
FAMILY OF THE C0LUMBIDE.
Peculiarities of the Turtle Dove-Best
Varieties of the Cage-The Flights
of the Passenger Bird.

latnl61dR into branches, classes ana specles
without end. The bird-lover, however.
does find distinct difference in structure
and habits, and so makes two great divi-
sions in the family of doves and pigeons.
To the fancier the latter are gregarious
set, never happy unless in crowd, with
affection for home stronger than love OF
mate. Their feet are fat, tail feathers
short and of even length, with preferences
for broad, fiat nest aud plane surface for
a roost. The dove, on the contrary, is a
slender, delicate bird, naturally solitary
and timid. The tail feathers are long, it
likes a branch to perch on, and builds a
nest in a tree. One of its marked charac-
teristics is being shy, while the pigeon, as
Willis wrote of 1t
Alone of the feathered race
Doth look unscared on the human face
Beyond all this, and still more conclusive
evidence to the fancies that there is dif-
ference, is the fact that pigeon and dove
will not mate together The turtle-dove is
the best known of ali the dove family.
There are four varieties-the collared, the
common, a nameless cross between the two
and the white. The common is the Tour
terelle of Button. 1t is English, and al
though plentiful is not well known. Where
other birds suffer from the harrier and the
gunner, a superstition protects this. Every
English lad knows that "Molest the turtle
dove or disturb its nest, and the death of
the dearest will be sure before the year IS
DONE" The plumage Of Ia I6ogtereile is of
a rich dark brown and black above, the
underfeathering of reddish brown at the
throat shading to fawn beneath. The
wing covers are black, tipped with brown.
The peculiar marking is batch of black
feathers, with tips on each side of the
throat, that appear after the first molt.
The collared is usually called the ring
dove, but the quest, or "cushie doc" the
largest of the European dove, has the true
claim to this name. The collared has a
mournful note, but it is everywhere vel
come visitor, especially among the middle
and lower classes of Great Britain and
Germany, as its presence is regarded as
bringing good luck. Its color is light
fawn above and white beneath. The neck
is encirced with white-edged band of
black feathers not quite meeting at the
throat. Its cooling is peculiar in the sound
being deep, prolonged, and followed by
full stop, in which the bird makes a deep
obeisance. The bird can be so trained
that when spoken to, or when a stranger
enters its presence, it will coo its welcome
and make its courtesy, than which nothing
can appear more absurd. This bird is very
susceptible to atmospheric changes, and in
its actions will predict the approach of
storms or of clearing weather before the
barometer will show it. In the autumn,
as the light lessons, the dove, and especially
this variety. even if bred in captivity, will
become very uneasy, and if it can gain its
liberty it will quickly disappear. No mat
ter how long dOmeSticated 1t will become
uneasy ct the season of autumn migration.
Another thing interesting to know about
the turtle dove is that its reputation for
gentle, loving disposition is romance. 1t
reads well, but when it gets to real life this
dove is quarrelsome and cruel. When
several are together there is continual
wrangling and fighting. While nesting
the male is devoted to his mate, but she
acts as though possessed of the very spirit
of mischief She insists on leaving the
nest, gadding about, and acting for all the
world like giddy, rattle-headed young
woman, and it is only by decided scolding
and frequent punishment that she can be
prevailed upon to attend to her maternal
duties.
Of the native American doves the Caro-
lima and ground birds are best liked for
the cage. The former is about the size of
the common turtle-dove, but IS more
hardy. Reared in confinement it is docile
and af1ectionate, and may be taught many
tricks and ways Its plumage is modest,
but at each side of the throat is a beauty
spot, showing sometimes a deep red, and
at Others green and blue. This bird must
be sheltered during the frost season, and
be especially guarded during the period OF
autumnal migration.
The ground or moaning dove is scarcely
larger than a sparrow, and at home is
quite as fearless, although not as quarrel
some or impudent 1t is hardly more than
six inches in length. 1t may be bred sue
cessfuily in the outdoor ayiary in summer,
or as a cage bird indoors throughout the
year 1t requires but little care, and will
make return in affectionate recognition.
The little love whisper in which it re-
spends when caressed is sweeter than any
song.
OF the entire Colambida, the passenger
of this country has attracted much atten-
ton on account of its gregarious habit, the
entire species uniting in one long flight
Through the year it extends from the
lakes on the north to the gulf at the south
and back again. In March and April the
flock moves north, and in October it re-
turns south to winter quarters. In IFS
colors the passenger IS truly American
The head and back are blue, its throat and
breast red, and its underfeathering white
The marking of the wing coverts, flights
and tail feathers is of black, the two mid
die feathers of the tail being wholly Of
that color. The neck, especially in the
spring, is rich in iridescent hues. The eye
is bright red, and the legs and feet pur-
plish. The bird is the largest of the fam
ilv, measuring sixteen inches. 1t breed:
rapidly in confinement, and although quite
hardy, must be sheltered during the
winter.
Many attempts have been made to mate
il with the blue rock and other pigeons
in the hope Of combining its endurance anC
supposed speed with their known intelli
gence and love of home, but without sue
cess, thus proving it to be not pigeon
but a dove. 1t has, however, been breed
with a Carolina dove. and the young, mateC
again with the Carolmas, have proven K
be fertile. The naturalist, Wilson, is tbs
authority for the wonderful speed with
which this bird generally credited; his as
sertions being based upon the condition 0
the food found in the crops hundreds o
miles from the vicinity in which that fooC
could have been obtained by it, and lht
rapidity of the pigeons digestion. Bu
this the racing pigeon has refuted IN furnish
ing the proof that the food remains almos
unchanged during the time the bird is OF
the wing; that is, the process of digestion
and assimilation Is stayed, or nearly so
during the time of flying.
In the breeding season this variety ha
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