Bob M
Well-known member
It is a beautiful morning here on the Green Valley. 1.4 inches of rain came during the night. I opened up the windows to let the fresh air in. A Mourning Dove is cooing (or whatever they do.) I always like their music but for the first time paid closer attention. They sure know how to count to three. I whistled their song while going to the piano to check on the notes they go by. A couple eighth notes (middle C then E) then three half notes, (G G G) in the octave below. I should have shut the window before I went to the piano. My fumbling around on the keys must have turned the dove off, at least he hasn't uttered a note since. I am anxious to check on the next one to see if they all sing on the same key. This is what Webster says about the Mourning Dove: "The Carolina Turtle Dove (Zenaidura macroura) common in North America and famous for its plaintive note." "Plaintive" was not in my vocabulary. Webster says "expressing a subdued sadness, mournful." Before all this research I thought the name was Morning Dove and its "Good Morning" message always cheered me up. I still like their two eighth notes and three half notes in perfect pitch and harmony. Their song is a happy one as far as I'm concerned!