\\ \ x l 1 M!“ M H h n N M“ \ WM \ WW 4 ‘ O 00 A NESTING STUDY OF THE MOURNING WV! EN KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN Thesis 56:? #26 Degree of M. S. :fiiCHSéAR SIM?! COLLEGE bun!§.£fldwsfl 3955 JHESIS This is to certify that the thesis entitled A Nesting Study of the Mourning Dove in Kalamazoo County, Michigan presented by Larry D. Caldwell has been accepted towards fulfillment of the requirements for M. S. , Fisheries and Wildlife degree m __ ”Z” 425:1; L- ajor professor Date 5/25/55 0-169 Mvv l‘.” Watt. 9‘5"? Ci: a; '6'3‘38 '9. 4,. ' & NESTINU S UDY C} TEE NOTRhINC DOVE IN KAIABAZOO CCUElY, MICPIGAS BY Lé‘rl'y D. Ci:1d'w€1] AN ABSThAC Submitted to the So 001 of Graduste Studies of kichigen State College 01 Agriculture and Apglied Science in partial ftlfillment of the requirements for the degree of 4 C) 5.4 RES L.Cl S ECh Department of Fisreries and Wildlife Year 1955 ,-"'3 . f /" 0 fl ) 1/ ’1’ 7.5“ ‘* fl Approved ./£:i};a/ "’ r“ "-0 A study was made of mourning doves nesting on adjacent Slh—acre and 32-acre study areas in Kalamazoo county, Michigan,from April to September, l95h. An effort was made to determine productivity of doves on the study areas. Cboing dove comparisons were made between the Slh—acre area.and a 20bmile cooing dove route. hS adult pairs on both areas nested 165 times and fledged 101 young. 85% of the nests were found in evergreens with red pine and norway spruce receiving the greatest use. Blue apruce‘and norway spruce were relatively the most preferred plant species for both attempted and successful dove nests. The Ci and 32 cover types were most important, receiving the greatest use, however, Cl and 83 were relatively the more preferred cover types for nest sites. The number of cooing doves heard was not correlated with the number of active nests. The peak of cooing activity on the Slb- acre area was about Sh days later than the nesting peak. Nest success was slightly higher during the last part of the season. Nest trapping of adults had no significant effect on the breeding suc- cess of doves despite deaths among nestlings under eight days old. Four pairs of marked doves renested one to two times with their original mates. Tbstors' model airplane dope was better than dye for marking doves for individual field identification. Statistical comparisons of 609 counts on the Slh—acre area with the 20-mile route showed the Slh—acre cooing population to be similar to the 20—mile cooing population. Apparently there was no unusual concentration of doves on the study area. Sex and age ratios of 75 Septemberbshot doves were about even. 3.h% ii of the study areas' fledgling production was in September whereas h1.7% of the 36 adults in the:shot sample had pigeon milk in their crops (supposedly indicating the adults were with dependant young). Some juvenile testes were as large as those of adult males. Regulated hunting of the dove in Michigai is theoretically possible. A hunting season in Michigan should be between September 8 and 23 to in- sure few losses of nesting adults and to.avoid missing all of the migrants. Experimental Open seasons in selected areas would provide mudh information on the possibilities of the mourning dove as a game bird in Michigan iii A NESTIKG STUDY OF THE MCURNING-DOVE IN KALAl-LAZOO COUNTY, I-ICHIGAII BY Larry Derl Caldwell A THESIS submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of'lfichigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of HASTdR OF SCIENCE Department of Fisheries and Wildlife 1955 é,za—- S’K TABLS CF COLiTL-IL‘S ABSTRACT LIST OF FIGUztES LIST OF TABLES I15 TRL; Bu CTICN ACKNOWLEDGE .313 TS IOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF "HE STUDY ARSAS TIL‘LPPIIA’} A111) WHICH-JG rhfiTHQDS NBST ABUNDAZ: CE HE‘ST SITE SEIEC‘I‘ION M-ESSTING AND I-‘DVJ-LSNTS NEST SUCCESS NESTIEEG I-DRTALITY ROADSIDE SNDI‘ES Coo Counts Sex and Age Ratios Hatching Bates byPrimary Molt Pigeon Milk Gonads HUI'ITING SEASON POSSIBILITIES SUI-fi-IARY FIGURES TABLL-S LI TERA‘IURE CI TED @NO 10 ll 12 15 15 16 16 17 18 20 29 113 LIS T OF FIGURSS ROAD nu) OF “BI-{E STUDY mums mm 113 20 IuLs census ROUTE. (p. 21). mm. PHOTO OF T1113 smut ALLAS (p. 22). Adams NEST DISTRIBUTE-s ON THE FAMI-SAIIS'I‘UARY AREA AT FOUR DAY hummus (p. 23). 30115323 FOR APPLYING OOIDRED PAINT 10 ms PETE-Dudes mu) thTRIOLS OF A I--IL.‘-U1t~iING DOVE (p. 21;). REiJE‘STlsGS OF I'Lllil'ifi.) DOVSS IN KALAJ‘LALOO COUIJ‘TI, I'IICI—EGAJ‘J (p. 25). Nut-113m or nous mm 01: Two CENSUS mums FROM my 15 '10 ssrmsm 21; (p. 26). coo-s mam PER DOVE ON up cmsus mums FROM mu 15 'DO Sfil’lfll-Blufi DOVES sass ON ms 20 i-ZLLr.‘ census .‘ffiu'l‘c' (p. 28). X11. LIST OF TAAiLt-SS EGG AHD Nabi‘llNd LOSSES on THE STUDY AREAS (p. 30). OBSHRVATIOAS OH DCVES l-‘dhflim HITH TESTORS' DOPE (p. 31). DOVE i~ESTI.-;G SEASON COi-[PIHISU'L-ES FOR SNERAL STATES (p. 32). DOVE NEST SITE FLATS AH.) i-mSTIl-IL} SUCCESS on Two STUDY AREAS IN mum-MOO COUNTY", l-ROHIGAH (pp. 33-311). . COVER TIFES AND TnDIIIt VALUE FOR. DOVE TEST SITES ON TWO STUDY AREAS IN KALAI-iAZOO OOUHTI, I—ROTRGAH (p. 35). CO.-LrARISOI~Is OF HASTIHG s GGHSS OH THO STUDY AREAS (p. 36). cox-TARISOHS OF DOVE PRODUCTION PER ADULT PAIR USING DATA FROM OTHER IWISTIGATORS (p. 37). PmmATIOH OH ADULT mm FLEDGLING DOVRS (p. 38). DATA FROM 79 DOVES SHOT DURING SEPTAIEER 19511 (p. 39). AVERAGE lLlTC} 19594 (P- ho)- ADULT GONAD LHEGTI-{S COLTARRD WITH THE PASSAGE PIGTOI-I MILK (p. hi). HG DATES OF I‘EECHGMJ DOVES SHOT DURING SEPi‘EI-BER R ASSET CE OF JUVET-IILE GOHAD LENGTHS COMPARED WITH THE DISAPPEARANCE OF T: T JUVLHILE BMI‘MRY OOVEHTS (p. L2). A NESTING STUDY OF THE MOURNING DOVE IN KAIAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN OOOperative studies of the mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura) are nOW'underway in many areas of the United States (Peters, 1950 and ’ll952). In Michigan, population investigations have been undertaken only within the last few years (Davey, 195h; Iund, 1951). The present study is an effort to contribute to the knowledge of the life history of the Species and eSpecially to learn something of its potential value as a game bird in Michigan. Field work extended from April 1 to Septem- ber 30, 19511. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to express my gratitude to Dr. George A. Petrides of the 'DCpartment of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State College for sug- gestions in analyzing the data and for critical review of the manuscript. Aelred D. Geis, instructor in FiSTeries and Wildlife at Michigan State Obl- lege, suggested the study and provided helpfulfladvice during the period that Dr. Petrides was on leave. Dr. Arthur E. Staebler, then director, made avail- able the facilities of Michigan State College's Kellogg Bird Sanctuary and C. M. McCrary, superintendent, COOperated on Kellogg Farm.properties and on the Michigan State College Biological Station. Harold S. Peters, U. S. Fish’and Wildlife Service biologist coordinating dove studies, provided help— ful suggestions and information. Dr. Don W. Hayne, Department of ZoOlogy, "vhe1ped in the statistical‘analysis. Dr. Leslie EL Gysel, repartment of Fisheries and Wildlife, assisted by lending photographic equipment. 2. STATIONAED DESCRIPTION or Til STUDY AREAS The study areas were the Michigan State Cellege Kellogg Bird Sanctuary and Farm (51h acres including the roadside) and the nearby Michigan State Cbllege Kellogg Biological Station (32 acres). Both are in Kaamazoo Cbunty in southern Michigan (Fig.1). The Sanctuarbearm area is located in 113, R9W, Sec. 8, and the Biological Station is located near- by in Sec. 7. The land incthis area is of low relief with lakes, bOgs, marshes, swamps and occasional streams. Basins and winding valley depres- Sions are common. The study areas were mapped and the vegetatiOn categorized into 15 cover types according to vegetative growth and species composition. The data were taken from the Ph.D. thesis of Aelred Geis which is in prepara ation at Michigan State College. All vegetation types were scattered over the study areas. 3h samples 8 millacres in size were taken from each of fine 15 cover types in numbers proportional to the areas covered by each type. Plants less than five feet high were not considered since no doves were observed nesting in plants this small. Descriptions are given below of the 15 cover classifications used. Plant cover is listed by the percentage of ground covered in an average quadrat: by the canOpies of plants of each species. In situations where plant canopies overlapped one another (including canopies whose stems were not found in the sample areas). it was possible for plant cover to total ‘more than 100%. The plant species in the 15 cover types are listed in descending order according to the amount of ground they covered. The percentage of ground covered by the plants and the number of plants contri- buting cover to an eight millacre quadrat follow the Species name and are 3. given in that order. Plants that covered less than .5% of the ground are listed as trace (t) items. Descriptions of the cover classifications: 0'- Cultivated land or areas vegetated by low grasses, herbs or prostrate shrubs. Trees and bushes covered less than 10% of the area. K - Open water 31 - Overgrown land with. a woody plant cover which ranged from 10% to 35% and averaged 28% of the ground cover, the remain- der'being open or with plants less than five feet tall. The vegetation was 5 to hO feet tall and stems were 1/2 to 10 inches in diameter at breast hei'ght (d.b.h.). Staghom sumac (Ehgthyphina *) 15-3, gray dogwo d (Cbrnus racemosa) lh-6, flowering crabapple (M_a_l}_1_s_ Sp.) 3-1. ,silk'y dogwood (Camus amomufn) 1-1:, tartarian honeysuckle (Ionicera tatarica) 1—1, red osier dogwood (gggpgg'stOIOnifera) 1-2, marrow honeysuckle (Ionicera morrowi) 1-1, choke cherry (m Virginians) t-2, large-toothed aSpen‘ (Populus grandidentata) t—l and sassafras (Sassafras albidum) t-l. 82 - Overgrown land with a woody plant cover which ranged from _ 35% to 60% and averaged 110% of the “ground cover. The vege- tationwas )5 to 15 feet tall and‘stems were 1/2 to h inches d.b.h. Staghorn sumac 20-h, smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) 7-2 ‘ tartarian honeysuckle S—l, silky dogwood 14-1, quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) S-I, sassafras 2-1, large-toothed * The authority for the plant binomials used is Muenscher (1950). h. aspen 1-1 and black locust (Robinia Pseudo-acacia) 1-1. 33 - Overgrown land which had 75% woody plant cover (one quad- rat). The vegetation was 5 to 27 feet tall and stems were 1/2 to 5 inches d.b.h. Staghorn sumac 50-h and white spruce (Picea glauca) 25-1. T'- Stands of tall shrubs or small trees which had an average of 95% ground cover. The vegetation was 5 to D9 feet tall and stems were 1/2 to 11 inches d.b.h. Tartarian honeysuckle 30-15, gray dogwood 25-15, red osier dogwood 15-h, silky dog- wood 10-2, common elder (Sambucus canadensis) 9-1, small pig- nut hidkory (QEEXE.EXEli§) 7-1, willows (Sali§_sp.) 7-2, black Cherry (EZE§2§_serotina) 5-1, pin oak (Cpercus palus- Epig) h-l, large-toothed aspen 3-1, white cedar (22213.22- cidentalis) 2-1 and choke cherry 1-2. Wi - Ybung deciduous woods which had an average of 96% woody plant cover. The vegetation was 5 to 70 feet tall and stems were 1/2 to 11. inches d.b.h. Red maple (Acer rubrum) 35-1, black oak (germs velutina) 21-1, gray dogwood 18-2, sassafras 10-3, white oak (Quercus alba) 10-1, willows 10-2, black cherry 8-1, staghorn sumac 8-1, tamarack (Larix laricina) 7-1, serviceberry (Amelanchier sp.) 1-1, and small pignut hickory l-l. Wé - Old deciduous woods which had an average of 95% woody plant cover. The vegetation was 6 to 78 feet tall and stems were 1/2 to 21 inches d.b.h. Black oak 35-2, white oak 35-1, small pignut hickory 30—1, black cherry 20-2, tartarian honeysuckle 10-2 and hawthorn (Crataegps 3p.) 2-1. S. R - Residences, including lawns, shade trees and surrounding buildings. Cl- Even-age red pine plantings which had an average of 90% woody plant cover. The vegetation was 19 to bl feet tall and stems were )4 to 9 inches d.b.h. Red pine (Pinus resinosa) 92-5. Even-age white and jack pine plantings which had an average of 95% woody plant cover. The vegetation was 119 to 58 feet tall and stems were 3 to 8 inches d.b.h. White pine (Pinus strobus) 55-5 and jadc pine (Pinus banksiana) 115-3. Even-age scotch pine plantings which had an average of 95% woody plant cover. The pine trees averaged 35 feet tall and were 9 inches d.b.h. Five foot honeysuckle shrubs with 1/2 inch d.b.h. occurred locally throughout the stand. Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) 90-6 and tartarian honeysuckle 5-1. Even age white and western yellow pine plantings which had an average of 95% woody plant cover. The vegetation was 311 to L12 feet tall and stems were 1; to 8 inches d.b.h. White pine 65-5 and western yellow pine (ms ponderosa) 35-2. Even age white pine plantings which had an average of 90% woody plant cover. The vegetation was 30 to 37 feet tall and stems were 6 to 8 inches d.b.h. White pine 90-6.. Open, even age norway spruce plantings which had ”an average of 75% woody plant cover. The vegetation was 6 to ’43 feet tall and stems were 1/2 to 9 inches d.b.h. Norway spruce (21332 M) 75-3, bladc cherry 1-1 and tartarian honey- suckle l-l. 6. The fifteen categories described above were intermixed as ma‘ped in Figure 2. Some details were sacrificed for clarity. TRAPPING AND MARKING METHODS 0n the Sanctuary-Farm area, adult doves were trapped on the nest, .banded with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aluminum leg bands and color marked. Nest trapping was not carried on at the Biological Station so that comparisons could be made with nesting success at the Sanctuary-Faun where trapping was undertaken. Attempts to bait doves for trapping were not successful. A number of four to seven-day old nestlings died while their parents were being trapped (Table I), so after July 20 trapping was delayed until nestling were eight days old. Exposure was assumed to be the cause of these deaths. There were fewer deaths after this procedure was adopted. The lower rate of nesting success for the population during the early part of the summer (Fig. 3) may have been affected by the earlier nest trapping but statistical comparisons of nesting success on the two areas (see beyond) failed to disclose significant differences. From April 1 to May 22, 22 adults were marked with red, yellow, and white Testors' model airplane dOpe (Swank, 1952b) applied in transverse bands to the flight feathers over an application of clear dOpe (Fig. h). DThis operation took about 25 minutes per dove. ’21 adults were identified a total of us times (Table II). The longest time interval between marking and field identification was 108 days. After 71 days, however, the paint scheme became unreliable because the mark was partially missing (two ob- servations). 7. 57 adults from 36 nests (pairs were marked alike) were dyed with picric acid and Dupont crocein scarlet and milking blue. The shoulder, breast, primary, belly and tail feathers were dyed in various combinations (tail feathers were always included in a marking scheme). Dye disappeared from the breast within 63 days (two recaptures), but remained for a longer (but undetermined) time on the tail. 71 dyed doves seen in the field had dyed tails. 22 of these also showed dye marks on other regions. Just three pairs of doves were marked on the tail only so it is probable that some of the D9 doves seen with only a dyed tail had been previously marked in some other body region. Apparently dye was a better mark for the tail than for other regions. It is not known whethd;::Tl doves retained their tail marks.. Tbstors' dOpe seemed to be the more reliable of the two marking methods. A simpler marking scheme for fewer birds would have made the application and field identification of the mark easier. NEST ABUNDANCE Doves have an incubation and brooding period of about 1h days each and are considered to be continuous breeders during the mating season. (Moore, 191.0; Mchurc, 19112; Quay, 1951; Swank, 1952a; and Fig. 5). The study areas were divided into units and each was systematically covered once every two weeks. Each successful nest therefore had two chances of being discovered while it was being used. A second clutch of eggs may be laid about four days after a previous effort (McClure, l9h2; Swank, 1932a; and Fig. 5). So to avoid counting one pair of doves at successive nestings as two pairs, the number of active 8. nests on the study areas were tallied in four-day periods (Fig. 3). From these data, most-ef~th6'nests (53.h%) were active between April 21 and June 7, a period of h6 days. Peak activity was reached rapidly and was followed by 110 days of gradually diminishing activity. It is interesting to note that the percentage of successful nests gradually increased as the density of nests decreased. Webb (1950) observed a similar increase in nest suc- cess toward the end of the Ohio nesting season. Investigators in several states have reported similar observations on the peak of dove nestings (Table III) except for early August peaks observed in North Dakota (Boldt and Hendrickson, 1952; Randall, 1955). ’ dwhu;¢tthe No consistent differences can be found between theestart and close of nesting seasons recorded in Michigan as compared with elsewhere. Data for the same year from several states should be used in comparisons of this type to avoid differences in successive nesting seasons but such information is not available. A total of 83 adult doves were trapped and banded on the Sanctuaryh Farm area. These included 27 pairs and and 29 singles. Of the latter, 2b were color marked. It is possible that each of these 2h represented a pair, since it—is possible that if both individuals of a pair had been marked this would have been evident. While hl.nests were the highest number found at any one time on the area (Fig. 3, Hay 11-12), it is likely that as many as 51 (27 known plus 2b possible) pairs of doves nested on the Sanctuartharm area sometime during the study period. Four additional pairs were observed nesting at the Biological Station. NEST SITE SELECTION Numbers of nests attempted and numbers of successes are shown in 9‘. tables IV and V for each Species of plant and for each cover type. Also shown is an index of relative nesting value of each category canputed on the bgsis of area. Evergreens contained 85% (131) of the nests although they covered only 5.9% (32.3 acres) of the study area (Table IV). Red pine and Norway spruce, as species, were most important, containing more than half of the nests attempted (98) and successful nests (31). However, blue spruce- and nor-way Spruce were relatively the most preferred plant Species for both attempted and successful dove nests. Red pine ranked fourth in rel- ative preference while it ranked first where its area was not considered. (hi—square tests of homogeneity indicated no statistical differences (in nest success among the plant Species: red cedar, red pine, norway apruce, white Spruce and "all others combined". In blue garuce, however, the sixbests attempted resulted in five successes, a fact concealed above. Considered by itself, this degree of success seems unlikely to have been only an event of chance. With the overall average nest success of .394 (see Table IV), the probability (by binomial expansion) of 5 successes and 1 failure in 6 attempts is only .025. Blue spruce apparently is a far better than average site for dove nests. The Cl and 32 cover types contained over half of the attempted nests (914) and successful nests (31;) however Cl and S3 were relatively the more preferred cover types for nest sites (Table V). The chi-square tests ap— plied to the plant species above were also used for cover types. With cover 10. types the categories used were: types' Ci, CS, 81, 52, 83, T and all others. These comparisons indicated no statistical differences in nest success among cover types. In Iowa, McClure (l9hl) found that doves selected nest sites in trees in relation to the abundance of the tree species. This did not seem to be the case in the present study, however, since doves nested more in some species such as red pine and norway spruce which made up a small percentage of woody vegetation. REJESTDIG AND MOVEMENTS Nine pairs of marked doves were observed renesting (Fig. 5). Four pairs were trapped at two nests each. No doves were observed renesting with other than their original mates. It was possible for one of these pairs to have been mated for 130 days (from egg-laying at the first observed mating to fledging the young at the last observed mating ). Time intervals between four pairs of successive nests ranged from four to six days and averaged h.8 days. For any one pair, 53 days (two nests) was the shortest and 131 days (three nests) was the longest time between the start of the first observed nest and the completion of the last. The average distance between new and old nests for these nine pairs was 29 yards. The observed distance between nests probably was not the true average since some other doves not so closely observed could have moved long distances off the area to renest. luau, Three bands were recovered: a 17-day old fledgling recovered‘three days after fledging, an adult male collected 1 1/2 miles from its banding site after 15 weeks and an adult male Shot in Alabama four months after ll. banding. NEST SUCCESS Disturbances by the observer were important causes of egg and nest- ling losses (Table I). Trapping losses of 2b nestlings were caused by ex- posure to weather and predators, and five when adults tried to escape from the traps. Flushed adults tended either to knOCk eggs and young from their nests, to leave their nests exposed to predators, or sometimes to desert. Nestling losses probably could have been lowered considerably had emphasis not been placed on trapping all of the adults. Although a number of nestling losses were attributed to nest trapping (Table I and see beyond under mortality causes), Chi-square tests between nestings attempted, successful nestings and nestlings fledged (Table VI) on the SanctuaryeFann area as compared with similar data from the Biological Station indicated no significant differences. Since the effect of nest trapping on the mourning doves' breeding success was not important statis- tically, the data for the two areas were combined (Table VI). Quay (195h) states that in North Carolina each nesting female must produce h.6 young per year to maintain the species. Nesting success of this order is necessary to balance a 70% yearly population turnover which he calculated from dove band returns of mixed age classes. The present Michigai study areas had less than three young fledged per adult pair. Apparently neither breeding population was successful enough during l95h to maintain its status if Michigan pOpulations have as short an average length of life as those in North Carolina. Davey (1953) also in Michigan, similarly found a lower nesting success than commonly observed elsewhere (Table VII). Of the 16h nests observed 21 (12.8%) were missed on the first search. 12. These 21 nests contained nestlings when discovered. Since these were over- looked once then it is probable that some nests were overlooked a second time. If the above error is assumed to be true for the second search, then three nests may have been missed entirely and it is possible that 167 nestings were made on the study area rather than the 161; observed. Cooing activity on the Sanctuary-Farm area reached its peak July 23 (see beyond and Fig. 6) although the nesting peak occurred from April 21 to June 7 (Fig. 3). The cooing peak was at least 511 days later than the middle of the nesting peak. Apparently cooing activity during this study was not a reflection of nesting intensity and the numbers of cooing doves cannot be used as an index to the number of active nests on an area. NESTING MORTALITY Nine nestlings and 20 eggs were lost to predators (Table I) as evidenced by signs at the nest sites. Proportionately more eggs were lost on the Biological Station by flushing the adults than on the Sanctuary-Pam area. A small preportion of the predation losses on the Biological Station were nestlings as compared with the Sanctuary-Farm area. The disturbances in nest trapping could have enabled predators to kill the Sanctuary-Faun nest— lings. A blue jay (gyanocitta oristata) was observed eating two eggs, and in another instance a blue jay was seen decapitating two nestlings. Siccess— ful kills of adults and fledglings were found (Table VIII). The identities of the latter predators were not determined. Bronzed grackles (Quiscalus versicolor) once chased a crow (m brachyrhynchos) from its perch in a tall elm causing it to drOp an adult 13. male dove. The dove's crop and 30% of its feathers were missing. Many bloody feathers were scattered about an active dove nest hO yards away. Apparently, the nest belonged to the adult. The crow may have killed the dove on or near the nest. From JUne 15-22, two camera traps (Gysel, in press) were used to pho- tograph egg predators. The traps were placed by old dove nests with dove leggs as bait. The eggs were attached to the tripping mechanism.by a piece of thread. The traps were in operation 723 hours at three nest sites. The eggs were disturbed eight times, but only three exposures were made because of mechanical difficulties. Che picture showed a red squirrel (lgmiggr 222322 hudsonicus) and another a blue jay. A third was of a small bird which could not be identified. The pictures labeled the first two species as probable egg predators. Three doves (two fledglings and an adult) with injured wings were handled during the summer. None of the three was able to fly. The in- juries could have been caused by flying into obstructions. Six nestlings were found whose throats were swollen. All died but their bodies were not discovered in time to determine the presence or ab- sence of trichomonads (Stabler, 1951). An adult male was found on the Sanctuary, however, just a few hours after death. The presence of tri- chomonads in the crap was confirmed by Dorothy Hitchcock, instructor of parasitology at the Biological Station. The left half of the crop was filled with lesions and the blood vessels of the neck region were enlarged. The observed accidents and diseases apparently did not seriously affect the abundance of the doves of this study. ROADSIDE STUDIES Cbo Cbuhts It was desirable to know whether the dove population on the study on two areas at SIVMUU' um”; area was typical. Roadside counts of cooing doves‘fwherein 20 three- minute counts are made at early morning stOps one mile apart, give reliable indexes to breeding populations (Gresh, 19510. A 20-mi1e cooing-dove route was establiShed outside the Sanctuary in typical farmlands (Fig. l). Counts along this route and otherfiwhich covered the entire Sanctuary-Farm area were made at biweekly intervals from May 15 throughout September 2h. Dove calling activities along the 20-mile route remained rather con- stant during the early weeks when Sanctuary-Farm cooing intensity was gradually increasing (Fig. 6). Cooing activity in both.populations declined after July 23. This could mean that nesting activity on the 20-mile route declined at the same time as on the Sanctuary-Farm area but as previously shown, no direct correlation between numbers of nests and cooing activity prevailed on the Sanctuary-Farm area. Paired comparisons of the average number of doves heard per stop between the first nine observation days (Fig. 6) indicated that the number of cooing doves did not differ signifi- cantly'between areas. As indicated in Figure 7, cooing intensity varied from time to time along both the Sanctuarbearm and 20-mile route since intervals of two to five days elapsed between counts on the two routes, differences in weather or sampling may be accountable. Paired comparisons of the average coos/ dove/ stop between the first nine observation days (Fig. 7) indicated that cooing intensity did not differ significantly between areas. With respect to ccmparisons of cooing doves between the two routes, 15. the Sanctuary-Farm area was similar to the 20—mile route. Numerical com- parisons of nesting population differences on the two cooing-dove routes could not be made since no nesting data were available on the 20-mile route. Sex and Age Ratigs‘ 7S doves were collected in September in the vicinity of the 20-mile cooing dove route and the study areas (Fig. 1). Chi-square tests of the sex ratio of these doves (Table IX) indicated that both adults and juveniles (age was determined by the presence or absence of the bursa of Fabricius) were probably taken from pOpulations with 50-50 sex ratios. The observed age ratio also was even: 36 adults to 39 juveniles. Hatching Dates by_Prima§y Melt 39 juveniles were among those collected (Table IX). The degree of molt of the primary feathers was compared with that of known age pen-raised birds (Jenkins, 1950) using a 17-day correction factor for wild birds (Swank, 1952) to give their approxhnate ages (Table I). From these data shot doves apparently had a nesting peak between July 28 and August 8. This was somewhat later than that of the Sanctuartharm doves whose peak was April 21 to June 7 (Fig. 3). The cause of the difference is unknown but could be due to errors in aging technique, to the earlier hatched birds having already migrated or to the early young having been exposed to mor— tality for a longer period of time. l6. Pigeon Milk It is generally accepted that the presence of pigeon milk indicates dependent nestlings, but Peters and Wblfe (195“ ) state that the relation- ship between glandular crOp thickness and nestling dependency has not been satisfactorily determined. Pigeon milk is present only during a part of the brood cycle (Quay, 1951). Thus adults may be nesting and not be pro- ducing pigeon milk. 0f the 36 adults collected in September h1.7% had thickened crop walls, four others showed a trace of the thickening. Hamm.(l9h7) reported that 17.8 per cent of 1187 adult doves Shot in eastern Tennessee in September possessed pigeon milk. Korschgen (1955) reported that 6.0% to 6.8% of 1369 September doves examined in Missouri in 1951-1953 had pigeon milk. Quay (1951) stated that 20.5% of 278 adult doves examined in North Carolina in September 1939-l9h1 were still feeding young. Other workers report similar results but all have observed a much lower incidence of pigeon milk in September adults than that observed in the 36 adults of this study. Chly four (10%) of the observed hl pairs of SanctuaryeFann doves were nesting in September and could be expected to have pigeon milk in their crops. Since the occurrence of pigeon milk in the shot sample was so high, it seems that either the shot sample was unconsciously,biased in favor of doves with pigeon milk or, as seems more likely, the presence of pigeon milk does not necessarily mean that a dove is nesting. Gonads Small testes in September adult males seemed to be related to the absence of pigeon milk. A similar correlation seemed to exist for ovaries 17. in the female but they were difficult to measure (Table XI). Comparisons between the increase in length of juvenile gonads and the disappearance of juvenile primary coverts did not show consistent differences (Table XII). Date of Tables x1 and XII indicate that by September there is a considerable ovnrlap of juvenile and adult gonad lengths. HUN TING SEASON P OSSI BI LITIES Theoretically, doves could be hunted in Michigan, just as any species could, if hunting removed no more than that which could be replaced by reproduction. were doves to be hunted in Michigan, one problem would be to determine what percentage to harvest. If the qutember shot doves of this study (36 adults and 39 juveniles) were representative of the fall age ratios of southern Michigan doves for all years than apparently it would be possible to harvest about 50% of the September population since this age ratio indicated an increase of about 100% above the adult popula- tion. much more widespread information is desirable however, before these data can be accepted as representative of southern Michigan dove pOpula- tions. 8 0n the Sanctuary-Farm area, two (ho9%) of the h9 breeding pairs were nesting after September 7 (Fig. 3). Both nestings were successful, tagether producing three fledglings (3.3% of the area's total production). If the late nesting pattern on this study area was typical of that throughout southern Michigan then only 3.3% of the l95h fledglings could possibly have been lost due to the death of a parent after September 7. At the Sanctuary, flocking was first noticed on July 29. The first large flock on the 204mile route was 35 birds seen on August 8 (Fig. 8). After September 22 all of the larger flocks (six or'more birds) seemed to 18. have migrated. From these data, a hunting season in Michigan before September 8 would find some doves still nesting while one establiShed after September 22 ‘would come after most flocks had migrated. More information is needed on the manner in which these dates vary from year to year. Data from this study and Davey (1952) indicate that fledgling pro- duction / adult pair is lower in Michigan than in other states (table VII). Hunting might have to be curbed a little more than in southern states if this is true for all doves in Michigan. Further, Michigan does not receive the benefits of large migrations from the north such as southern states do. This also would tend to limit the harvest of doves. It is probable than that a dove season in Michigan, set within the narrow time and bag limit implied above, would provide some limited hunting but would not be as pro- ductive as in the south. Experimental open seasons in selected townships or counties would provide much information on the possibilities of the mourning dove as a game bird in Michigan. This study indicates some limi- tations on hunting practices which could serve as a basis for such experi- ment 5. swam A study was made of mourning doves nesting on adjacent 51h acre and 32 acre study areas in Kalamazoo County, Michigan during 195h. Nesting on the larger area lasted from April 9 to September 23 with an April 21- June 7 peak. 115 adultfxton both areas nested 165 different times and fledged 101 young. 85% of the nests were found in evergreens with red pine . and norway spruce receiving the greatest usage. Nesting SUCCCSS'WaS 19o slightly higher during the last part of the season. Nest trapping had no significant effect on the breeding success of doves despite deaths among nestlings under eight days old. All renesting doves observed (four pairs) were with their original mates. Testors' model airplane dOpe was better than dye for marking doves for individual field identification. Coo counts did not seem to be indicative of the abundance of active nests. Sex ratios of 75 shot doves were about even in both adults and juvenals. In September, juvenile testes were as large as those of adult males and pigeon milk was found in hl.7% of 36 adults. Rejdhited hunting of the dove in Michigan is theoretically possible. A hunting season in Michigan should be between September 8 and 23 to insure few losses of nesting adults and to avoid missing all of the migrants. EXperimental open seasons in selected areas would provide much information on the possibilities of the mourning dove as a game bird in Michigan. FI GU RES 21 FIGURE 1 ROAD I-LAP OF THE. STUDY AREAS AND THE 20 I-EIILE CENSUS RCUTE RIO?!) R9W Fam-Sanctuary Area "-9 Biological Station if; 20 Mile Census Route 3% aqateu consents! noo~.(wm .34 m was; :5 e a nu .t o ,lJ .( _ .s . a f 0 a . e. m @w. t z .. a 0 av x H o 9 Eat .v o L 0 all a . g Q .. _ «Law ...0 _... .~ ’4. 22 2 L" FIG 1 :15 AR STU I'Y .‘ H 7‘ UL limo or 11‘ ' 23 20—23 16-19 t . Va 6 l p 6 8 0 g 5 7 1 3 8 n O 2 L 1 e 3 2 1 1 u 2 2 1 9 u 1..— 2 l 7 u 3 2 1 - S — - _ . an _ - NW _ J _ - _ k J - . . 8 1 3 5 7 O 2 6 8 O 2 7 9 l 3 2 1 3 2 1 2 2 l 2 1 1 me. we: Hoemmooodm I mpmoe Hdmmmoooddcb flHH WH¢>fifiBzH wmfl mach B4 ¢4m4 WNfiuBoqtnlfififim awe :0 QUHBDmHfiBmHQ ands M>Hao¢ m ampeHm 3—6 hay 25-28 17-20 9-12 Apr. 0H ON on 3me mo .04 FIGUEL-t‘ u SCHEME FOR 1’PLYING SOLORiD PAIKT TO THE PP’LARIJS AND RJCTRIJLS OF A MCUAKIIG DOV; R - red W - white Y - yellow L wing tips L tail fl? 2 ademmooodmcd I b asymmooodm I m ma nopaopmom Hm pagoda m ma engage Hm ease .meh mm ma ease nun". 0G5 .eea on a mm a ma beds a m an as: o mv .- 0 ma ewe m on on flange ma Hanna m m N. w w m .n m .H. 8333 genes: naom mo open weaww ca cm>fiw ohm owefipmoz o>flmwoooom coosuom mooempmfin Joa QHMfidfi fio mmmHBmmzmm m- nebeHa FIGU‘AS 6. MUMBJR CF JOVJS HQAKD ON TWO CEHSUS RCUTJS FROM 1m: 15 T0 small-3348. 214 No. of doves .e. ._ . .. ., heard ' 1 hO / \ / \--" """\20 mile route 30 2C 10 1; 3 12 23 8 23 7 20 10 2h nay June July August September Coos per dove \H 27 FIGURE.7 COOS HEARD PAR DOVE ON TWO CMNSUS ROUTES FROM ill 15 T0 SEPTEMBER 2h Sanctuary-Farm route - ”=—,.f~v._n-..su.e.---.;z.l 15 3 12 23 8 23 .7 2O 10 2h May June July August September FIGURE 8 DCVJS SLAM ON Th5 2O NILS CAESUS BLUTJ No.‘ ho seen flocks singles an: doubles 20 ,Sr ’-— 13 29 10 27 12 27 8 21 8 2h Thur June July August September TABLES TAB LE 1 EGG AND NSSTLIEG LOSSES 0N TEL STUDY AXSAS Causes Human Disturbance Predation Unknown Trapping Flushing . nestlings nestlings egg nestlings eggs nestlings eggs Sanctuary-4 Farm 29 10 7 8 13 h? 55 Biologict ___ 7 l 7 12 Station 'T' -—‘ Iiscellaneous Egg and Nestling Losses on the Study Areas wind embryo did not develop crowded off nest nest discovered with dead nestlings 2 eggs h eggs h eggs 1 nestling 7 nestlings TABLE 11 CBSSRVATILKS ON DOVQS HARKJD WITH TSSTORS' DCIS Marked Time interval in days between marking and on each observation May 1 3 17, 19, 19, 20, 22, 22, 25, 29, h7 - May 9 1h 3 May 11 23 I-Zay 11 108 I-lay 13 5 Play 13 28, 35 May 13 28, 71 May 11; 19, 22, 81. Thy 16 38, h? May 16 11 (killed by a predator) May 22 9 June 5 17, 18, 33 June 7 6, 10, 1h, 17, 28 June 10 3 June 1h 13, 21, 35 June 15 3 June 21 17, 2h June 26 9 July 5 3, 11. July 25 1, 5, 13 August 27 , 27 Ammmfiv Hchcwm Ammmfiv comefiuecmm ecm pefiom henna mega Ammmflv mm>mm Rommfiv ppm: Aommfiv ppm; Aaqmav mgsfiooz Afiqmflv ohsfioo: Afiqmav mnsfiooz Afiqmav befizma Aommfiv amnmmpo Aommfiv amnmwgu agmmmfiv Mcmsm comma: flea mpfigoppsm ma HH ma .900 Opoo Opoo Hmauwmmn mm .poo m .poo .m:flpo< pmmg gmmm mafipmmm =4u4u¢h mH mm: m .Hm¢ om .hmz on .nm; UN g 04 a: mm .umz wfi .pod NHIOH and: NHIOH .Hwa mm .cwh pmmm o>flpo< pmhww mme4em H<fifl>§m m0h mmomHm0n m<fim4 bQDBm 029 w>H mumfia A.mw musgv ofimmw pogo M:H9030Hm AaHomomlowdoum «HoHpomv pmdooa Mowfim Amcufimxcmp mdcwmv mafia Mowh AmHHoprmAMQm mSGMMQNHmv o>wao cwwmmdm Amhpdg mdpogv mpHopHDE com AadeQHm mNHMdmmwwv mwpmwmmwm r Fr. Amwfimpcmwfiooo mwdC4v Hmwoo mpwflz Aflzohhoe momowcogv mHNoSmhmcog 3onhoz chuwmmm GQOHAV modgmm ode Amosowm moowmv modnmm opwxz Amcwfiqunfib mdhmmwddhv uddoo 00m Amopr woonv oodamm mquoz Ammocwmon mdcflmv mafia 0mm H I mmHoomm pcmHm . .. 0 Ha. .I :31 An, 00H 00 0.00 0.0H H. .JW. .nw. 0.00 0.0H H. H I 0.00 0.0H H. H I 0.00 0.0H H. H I 0.00 0.0H H. H I 0.00 0.0H H. H I 0.N. N.oo m. H H 0.0H 0.0H H. H H 0.m. 0.00 N. N H «8.3 .uou m um! 1?.“on «no» w .r mwpw mpmoc mpmou mamas .oodw .ocv dewb mama: .pOpv .mmhm .mopm QHHm paw: .Hmm muHm pmo: .Hom .000 00 m .000 .oodm .om :«0H00H: .Hampoo 00N000H0H 0H 00Hm0 H9090 020 00 mmm0000 02H00Hz 0:4 maxgqm maHm 90mm H>on p>H mHmdB proe ANHMHQ mchmv msz cmHHpm54 AmcHoHHmH KHHmHa xomgmema A.mm mocwpmm0v pdcpmogo Acummeq mwmfiv Hmeo Mom ficumdmmHoouonuhdmv Hommmgo chHMHHb A.mm HmHnoamea¢v HoHnoawH084 msHpoumm mossy hypono xomHm A A Adesmm edquprv mphmpsmgo AmonmmHm AmHHmpcowHooo meHmov hhhopxowm onommm pcme 0.:0H 0.00 H.000 H0000 0.0H 0.00 ade .mqu 0.0 mqwul 00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.H 00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.: 00 0.0 0.0 . 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 00 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 N0 0.0 N.NH 0.HH 0.0 0.0 0.0 mm 0.0H 0.Nm 0.00 0.HN 0.N 0.0H H0 0.0 0.0 0.N 0.N H.m H.0H m 0.0 N.0 0.HH 0.0 0.0 0.0H a 0.0 N.0 0.H 0.0 H.: 0.NN Hz 0.0 0.H 0.0 0.N 0.0 0.0N Hm N.0 0.0 0.N 0.H 0.0 .N N3 0.H 0.0 0.0N 0.0H 0.0 0.H: Nm 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 H No.0 No.0 0.H 0.H H.00 N.NHm 0 Hoops qup m .+ Awohm .00» m .w. mama: mpmoq mono «chow wgmp Ho>oo 0000: .0050 .oflv ode> m0mm: .povv .mmnm .0oB .oodm .03 mo: .Hmm opHm one: .Hom .mmpm m0Hm 0 zddeon .Mezboo OONwifiHmu 2H mdflm4 wnbam .000 00 m 00 0004 039 :0 mmBHm emnz abom mOh MDH¢> mHfimB and mmmwe NMSOO > mHm<8 TABLE V1 ‘ . CCthRISONS OF NJSTING SUJSJSS CN TWO STUDY ARQAS Sanctuary- Biological Total Farm tation observed pairs of breeding adults I bl. h. hS. attempted nestings lhé. 18. 16h. successful nestings 52. (35.6; 6. (33.33) 58. (34.80) nestlings fledged 91. 10. 101. nestings attempted per adult pair 3.56 b.50 3.6h successful nestings per adult pair 1.27 1.50 1.29 fledglings per adult pair 2.22 2.50 2.2h fledglings per successful nest 1.75 1.67 1.7h 302351150333 CF TABLE V11 37 DCVfi PRODUCTION PAR ADULT PAIi USING DATA FROM OTHQR INVESTIGATORS Based on Study Area Population Estimates State Year_ Authority Production from data by the cited sources Iowa 1938 Hc31ure 6.0 fledglings/adult pair Iowa 1939 McClure 3.8 fledglings/adult pair rich. 1953 Davy 1.3 fledglings/adult pair Idch. 1955 This study 2.2 fledglings/adult pair North Dakota 1950 Boldt and 3.3 fledglings/adult pair Hendrickson North Dakota 1952 Randall 105 magnum/adult pair Based on Observations of Marked Doves State Year Authority» Production from data by the cited sources Texas 1950 Swank 6.7 fledglings/adult pair Ohio 19h7-u8 Webb 5.0 fledglings/adult pair rich. 1955 This study 2.6 fledglings/adult pair for seven pairs for seven pairs for nine pairs - '4 Mu... Ann-cm“ .mafifl ‘IFMAI. ~.. TABIE V111 PRJDAQICN CK A371? 1H3 PLEDGLIKG DOVQS SanctuaryaFarm Adults Fledglings I certain possible certain possible on the nest 1 5 2 l elsewhere 3 2 - - Biological Station Adults Fledglings J certain possible certain possible on the nest 1 2 - - - elsewhere - - - - TABLj 1K aim FRC=I~I 75 Dovas SI—IC‘I‘ JUL m BEETLE-333R 195‘ Malta «lam . Ffllk Pres. talk Absent Idlk Pres. Idlk AbSent Condition of crop 15 21t ' O 39 How shot flock sing. or double flock sing. or double 17* 19** 25 13 Sex males females males females 23 13 19 2O t— four of these had a trace of a thickened crop wall *- six had pigeon milk in their crops 0*- nine had pigeon milk in their crops ‘l’ _ NH .00...“ mmH OH mafia mHH N a m N 0 0 H H H 0H 0N 0 0H 0N 0 0N 0N 0 eqdb ocdh thh hHsfi mHSh thd .ms4 .ms< .pmom 00 H0 00 H0 H0 mm 0N 0N 0H 0 0 0 0 0 m N H 0 swan mkmsmammm cmepD 90mm mfi>om uddeon HO mfi9¢fl cszoadm Modxm>< N a? 4». mdeHoemm wo nodem moped 00H000a: 000: mhmv :H 0mm owwme>d weomeoa McHep popes: humaHpH TAB LE X1 --‘,1 '1 .. ~~-, - “,0 “*0 v~i~nx : . . ., ~‘ ‘7‘ 7.- - k “w .. ADULT Starts) 1.1.3110) Shauna.) 751:1 111.: 13.00.1013 OB. 3.33.0.0; OF P133011 I-ILK I12 I at“: 7 m _ gonad milk mill: mlk milk length (mm) absent present absent present ‘00- 500- 6.0 " h.9 5.9 6.9 I11 10 9 3 T .DLE 3‘11 JUVJI‘JILE (301311.) LLLGTETS 3032:11ij KETH TELJ 2315A} itSfLTLAI-ICE OF THE. JUVAIEILd lRIILAIL‘i’ JUVE’LTS Males Females Juvenile Adult Juvenile Adult donad lea; th buff plain buff plain (nun. ) coverts coverts coverts coverts 2.0 — 2.9 - - 1 3.0- 3.9 7 - 3 11.0 - 14.9 h 1 h - 5.0 - 5.9 1 — 3 6.0 - 6.9 - ' - 1 7.0 - 7.9 - 1 - 1 8.0 "' 8.9 - ' ‘3 l - 10.0- - 10.9 - 2 - ‘ 1 HTMTURE GI TED Boldt, Wilber and George 0. Hendrickson. 1952. Mourning dove Production in North Dakota shelterbelts, 1950. Jour. Wildl. Mgt. 16:187-191. Davey, Stuart P. 1953. The mourning dove in southern Michigan. M. S. Thesis, Univ. of Mich. Gresh, Walter A. 1951:. Instructions for the 19514 mourning dove call road count. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Service, 1 p., mimeo. Gresham, Claude H. Jr. 1950. The mourning dove in East Baton Rouge Parish, Iouisiana and vicinity. LS. thesis, Louis. State Univ. Gysel, Leslie W. and Earl M. Davis. In press. A simple automatic photo- graphic unit for wildlife research. Jour. Wildl. Mgt. Hamm, Eallie. 19148. Dove survey results. Tenn. Cons., Jan. - Feb., PP- Jenkins, J.H. 1950. (h aging and sexing doves. S.E. Assoc. Game and Fish 00111111., Richmond, Va. hpe, mimeo. Korschgen, Leroy J. 1955 A study of the food habits of Missouri doves. Missouri P-R Report l3-R, 31 pp. Lund, James Victor. 1951. Ooservations on the nesting of the mourning dove in the vicinity of East Lansing, Michigan. M.S. thesis, Michigan State College. McClure, Howe Elliott. 19M. Ecology and management of the mourning dove, Zenaidura macroura (Linn.), in south-west Iowa. PH.D. dissertation, Iowa State Cbllege. 19112. Mourning dove production in southwestern Iowa. Auk. 59:6h-65. Moore, George C. 19340. The nesting habits and juvenile deveIOpments of the mourning dove in Alabama. M.S. thesis, Ala. Polytech. Inst. Muenscher, W.C. 1950. Keys to Woody Plants. Comstock Pub. Co, Ithaca, New York. 108pp. Peters, Harold S. 1950. Mourning dove investigations in the northern states. Presented 12th Midwest 1111101. 001113, Dec. 111-19, 1950, unpub. manuscript. 1952. Progress of the cooperative mourning dove study. Presented 111th Midwest Wildl. Conf., Dec. 17-19, 1952, unpub. manuscript. Peters, Harold S. and Joan H. Wolfe. 19511 Mourning dove newsletter No. 8, U.S. Fish and Wildl. Service, 9 pp., mimeo. 1.: .3 :. Quay, rIhomas L. 1951. Mourning dove studies in North Carolina. N. C. Wildl. Res. Comm., Fed Aid Project 2—R and 26-R, 90 pp. 19Sh. MOurning dove populations in North Carolina. N.C. Wildl. Res. Cbmm., Fed. Aid Project W—30—R, no pp. Randall, Robert N. 1955. Mourning dove production in south central North Dakota. Jour. Wildl. Mgt. 19:157-159. Stabler, ELM. and C.M. Herman, 1951. Upper digestive tract trichomoniasis in mourning doves and other birds. Trans. N.A. Wildl. Conf. 16: lh5-163. Swank, Wendell G. 1952a. Contributions to the knowledge of the life history and ecology of the mourning dove in Texas. PH.D dissertation, Rxas A. & M. College. 1952b. Trapping and marking ofadult mourning doves. Jour. Wildl. Taylor, Mark H. 19111. Breeding and nesting activities of the eastern mourning dove in North Carolina. M.S. thesis, Univ. of N.C. Webb, LG. 1950. The life history and status of the mourning dove, Zenaidura macroura carolinesis (_I_._), in Ohio. PH.D dissertation, Ohio State Univ. ,._A nICHran STATE UNIV. LIBRARIES 1|11|WII”1111|WI1111111111111111111 31293100143613