If we take a stroll on rue de Tourterelles, will we have the chance to hear the soft cooing of a turtledove or of another couple of birds that qualify as "sad"? A member of the dove family, the turtledove has seen its ranks increase in the last two decades. This bird seems to have a predilection for electric wires and on a regular basis, two or three turtledoves come to visit, despite their shyness.Are these birds models of love? Don't we say "turtledoves" to describe lovers? French novelist Emile Zola wrote in "Nana": "Turtledoves end up being annoying, the degree to which they are affectionate."
There doesn't seem to be any relation between the French word "tourte" designating a bird and "tourtière", designating a meat pie. Even if the meat pie is made with birds! According to the Robert dictionary, tourte is "a kitchen utensil used to make pies", while a tourtière is "a round pastry stuffed with meat or fish, etc"
Confused? Just sit back and enjoy the sad song of the turtledoves and enjoy their presence on the Island...
Jacques Lacoursière, Historian
and Maison Saint-Gabriel spokesperson
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