Evening star., 1948-06-07
This and That
By Charles Z. Tracepell


1t was no wonder the lady on the phone was
excited.
She thought she had pair of passenger
pigeons!
Since the last of these now extinct birds died
In 1914, her find" would have been remark
able, indeed
But they look exactly like the picture Of
passenger pigeons!" she exclaimed
What she had. of course was pair Of turtle
doves. often called Carolina doves.
And these birds do look great deal like the
more famous birds, killed by mans greed.
4
So familiar Is America with It's dove, that
1t is hard to believe that so many people do
not know 1t intimately.
Yet that is fact.
As city dwellers move into the suburbs, they
meet the dove, and often fail to recognize 1t.
Looking feverishly through their bird
books" they come across the colored plate of
the extinct pigeon.
They do not stop to look up the description
OF the pigeon, and see that its length far ex-
ceeded that of the dove.
The resemblance between the two is striking
And 1t Is good to know this, in watching
doves at feeding station because 1t gives
them more interest.
All too often the observer is likely to call
them "just doves" failing to grasp how much
beautiful they are, for and in themselves.
The turtle dove is so named because Of the
dark markings on his back, resembling those
on common garden tortoises or turtles.
As 1t wends its way through the grass, 1t
seems very turtle-lke, moving low on short
legs
This bird is distinguished by the whistling
sound made by its wings on the take-of.
In general appearance it is much like its
cousins. the pigeons, so it Is no wonder it is
mistaken for passenger pigeon. Up until
few years ago there was not year went
by but some one solemnly announced that
he had found true passenger pigeon.
There still are persons who believe, or
pretend to believe, that In some back woods
alive
Scientists know better. '...-.
We must get along with our turtle doves,
then; and nice birds they are to have around.
They are fully able to take care Of them.
selves, often chasing blue jays and others.
Even squirrels at times know the wraths Of
the gentle dove" The truth is that neither
dove nor pigeon is gentle, in any real sense,
except In appearance.
Both have mean streak in them, easily
seen from the somewhat stupid looking face.
Not even a real dove adn1irer can claim
beauty Of face for his friend. Yet 1t is
poSSIplc 10 Say tt1hb LIle SIudu ueaQ
neck blend In very well with the gray and
dark tones and especially with the pink Of
the breast.
The best dove picture Is made In winter.
We recall q dove perched on q stub Of Q
branch In the snow.
We instantly became converted to doves.
All too often the suburban bird watcher
becomes enamored OF cardinals and other
favorites to the exclusion Of less colorful
creatures.
Yet nature has well taken care Of these
The dove, for instance, is Q marvellous blend
of tones. 1t has real beauty Of It's own.
dofhng its colors for no dashy bird.
In addition. our dove has . note or two
all his own, The soft GOO" Is unnnistakably
his. Whether it Is mournful or not must be
left to the listener to decide. We do not
find it So
This Is the bird Of homeowners. It always
seeks an established community and makes
It's shAllow nest close by human habitation.
Those who put out food In summer will have
the satisfaction ef helping real American.