Evening star., 1947-02-28
This andThat
By Charles E. Trnce,oeH.

Six large birds were poking around
on the ground beneath the feeding
station.
They were turtle. doves When they
show up in pairs, that Is one of the
real signs Of spring.
There were three pairs, and their
size combined with their constant move
ment made them seem twice as many
The smaller birds scattered widely at
any noise but the doves merely walked
away for several feet. They kept busy
eating, at which they had done a
good job, as seen by their round bodies.
These turtle or mourning doves as
they are called are fine and interesting
birds to have around. In some loca-
tions as many as 40 may be seen at
time. Although they are as large as
small pigeons, to which they are related,
they have none of the drawbacks of
the common pigeon at feeding stations,
Doves live on basis of eat and let
eat. On the other hand, they will stand
for no monkey business from other
birds, especially the blue jay. The
gentle doves, so called, often chase
jays. They give those braggarts as good
as they send and better. Yet the doves
at no time interfere with the smaller
guests.
One of the interesting features of
these birds is the whistling noise made
by the wings when the dove takes off
from the ground.
They like to perch side by side on
tree limbs. Although good feeders they
! never give the impression of gluttony
as do pigeons
Their legs are so short and their
bodies so boat-shaped that they re-
semble little vessels as they walk
around. This odd motion is so char
acteristic that a dove may be identi-
fled by it alone.
In welcoming turtle doves to a yard
the householder of today is coming as
near as he ever will to seeing the ex-
tinct passenger pigeon.
Doves resemble that bird very strik.
ingly, according to colored, paintings,
although by no means as large. The
pigeons lived in great f1ocks of millions
OF birds, and at migration time fairly
darkened the heavens. Their extinction
was crime against which man has been
unsuccessfully trying to defend himself
ever since.
fate. This is partly accounted for by
conservation laws, and also by the fact
that these birds do not roost in great
bands so low down that any yokel with
a club can come in and knock them
down. They also have escaped because
OF the affectionate regard in which they
are held by so many people. The United
States is country Of small towns,
basically, and there is no small town boy
or girl who has not become acquainted
with the soft coo of the dove near his
home.
The turtle dove is poor nest builder
but manages his life's affairs so that
there are always new doves if he is let
alone.
His call is musical, despite the fact
that many people regard it as mournful.
1t is a strange fact that the voice of
its cousin, the pigeon, is rather on the
disgusting side. After all, there is not
so much difference between the two
soundS-but what a difference, after
all! The pigeon, one may feel con-
vinced, could COO as well if he wanted
to, but he prefers to make rather silly
and unpleasant sort of sound instead
The actions Of the pigeon, too, are silly
The one drawback to the dove, some
will think, is its head. The head is
very small, even for a bird The dove
must have as little brains as any species
but its survival in gun-toting world
| shows it to have enough for all practical
| purposes.
AS a matter Of fact, the doves head
need worry no one It is quite in
keeping with the rest OF the creature
and little close study will convince
any observer that it could be made
nearer to the hearts desire only at the
risk OF spelling the total symmetry OF
| the bird.