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Ground Dove; Mourning Dove
Adult male--Various shades of "dove colour"; breast somewhat spotted; iridescent feathers forward of the shoulder; bill red.
Adult female--Grayer.
Length--6.75.
Breeding Range--The Gulf States and Florida, north to North Carolina.
The nest is a flimsy structure of twigs, with sometimes straw or pine needles. It is placed either on the ground or in bushes, rarely at any height from the ground. 2 white eggs are laid. Size--.85 x .65.
The Ground Dove is easily recognised from its size alone, it being much the smallest of our native doves. As its name implies, it spends the greater part of its time on the ground, where it may be seen moving its head, while walking or running, after the habit of the domestic pigeon.
The nests are usually near cultivated land, frequently in abandoned gardens or yards, and though the ground is perhaps the favourite place for building, yet bushes, trees, or even tree stumps are sometimes chosen. The breeding season lasts from April to July; eggs have been taken as late as October, but this is probably quite exceptional.