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Mourning Dove; Carolina Dove
Adult male--Upper parts purplish brown; forehead pinkish buff; a small black patch on cheek; neck with iridescent feathers; under parts pinkish or light purplish buff to creamy buff on the belly; tail pointed.
Adult female--Very similar; less brilliant. Length-11.85.
Breeding Range--Throughout the Eastern States to Maine.
The nest is a slight platform of small sticks, loosely placed in a bush or tree, usually not more than twelve feet from the ground; it is sometimes found on a stump, often on a deserted nest of a thrush, and in some parts of the country it is situated on the ground. 2 white eggs are laid. Size-1.12 x .82.
This is the commonest of the doves found in the Eastern States. It begins breeding in the early spring, and rears two or three or even more broods. In Princeton, New Jersey, nests containing eggs have been found as early as April 5th.