eon ‘nestings,’ near Petosky, Michigan, in 1878, it is estimated that one billion birds were killed during the season.
This, in brief, is the story of the destruction of the Wild Pigeon, whose remarkably rapid extermination is paralleled only by that of the American bison. During the period of its abundance the Wild Pigeon was distributed throughout the greater part of eastern North America, from the Hudson Bay region southward to Florida, and casually westward to British Columbia. Today an occasional individual is observed at intervals in the Atlantic States, and in the middle and upper Mississippi Valley they are seen more frequently. Reports of their presence in large numbers on the Pacific coast or in various parts of the tropics prove to be based on other species of Pigeons.
STUDY POINTS FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
What are the special characters of the Wiltl Pigeon? How does the male differ from the female? How do the young differ from the adults? In what respect does the Pigeon differ from the Mourning Dove? How many Pigeons were estimated by Wilson to be contained in one flock? How long a time was the (lock in passing a given point? What is the estimated flight speed of the Pigeon? At what price does Audubon mention seeing Pigeons sold in New York City in 1805? How were these birds shipped? Where were they caught? What area was occupied by a Pigeon roost observed by Wilson? How many nests have been observed in a single tree? What governed the migrations of Pigeons? What was their principal food? When did wild Pigeons begin noticeably to decrease in numbers? What were the causes? When and where was the last known large Pigeon roost? What was the former range of the species? What is its present range? What conclusion may we draw from the history of the Pigeon's extinction?
Much information in regard to the Passenger Pigeon will be found in the works of Wilson, Audubon and Nuttall, in Baird, Brewer and Ridgeway‘s ‘History of North American Birds,‘ Bendire‘s ‘Life Histories of North American Birds.‘ Brewster‘s ‘The Present Status of the Wild Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) as a Bird of the United States, with Some Notes at its Habits,‘ The Auk, VI, 1889, pp. 285-291.
Additional copies of this leaflet may be obtained from William Dutcher, Chairman National Committee of Audubon Societies, 525 Manhattan Ave., New York City.
