I thought they were chickens at first. This morning, driving past Echo Park Lake on my way to take my cousin to the airport we saw a small flock of white birds walking in the grass, looking domestic, their heads too small to be ducks or geese. A couple of hours later, on my way back from the airport, alone, I saw the birds in the same patch of grass in the northeastern corner of the park. I pulled over and got out to see them. A bit larger than pigeons, all white -- with some very light tan markings -- and with red around their eyes and red beaks, it turned out they were doves of some sort. Eight of them. When they saw me approaching, they, in turn began walking toward me. They gathered around my feet, looking bewildered. Either someone dumped them, or they have escaped. I presume the former. I hope they are rescued because I don't expect these lovely creatures will long survive the coyotes, dogs, maybe hawks and brutal humans who move among the animal-lovers at the park.