Genesis 8:12

And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.

1. Noah kept the dove another seven days and then released her again. She did not return.
2. So, why did the author include these details about Noah using birds to figure out when the earth was dry? Perhaps, to show once again that God doesn't do everything for us. We are often left to use our own intelligence and skills to figure things out. Eventually (see verse 16) the Lord would tell them it was time to disembark, but God was apparently not in the business of giving Noah reports on the status of the flood waters, even though He undoubtedly understood their anxiety to know when they would be able to get out of that smelly ark.