|William Dutcher, Bird-Lore (1903)
“ The disappearance of so abundant a creature in so comparatively short time is a surprising illustration of man’s power in the animal world, when, for any reason, his forces are directed toward a certain end. Wild Pigeons lived in flocks at all seasons, nesting, roosting and feeding in enormous bodies. ”
|William Dutcher, Bird-Lore (1903)
“ Today the Wild Pigeon is so rare that the observation of a single individual is considered noteworthy. The species continued abundant until about 1860, when, as a result of increasing slaughter for food, it began rapidly to diminish in numbers, and no large flock has been recorded since 1888. Frank M. Chapman tells me that as late as July, 1881. he saw Wild Pigeons used in large numbers at a trap-shooting tournament held near New York City. The birds had been netted in the West and were often so helpless from their confinement in foul cages that they were unable to fly. ”
|William Dutcher, Bird-Lore (1903)
“ The Pigeon, however, is much larger, the adult male is much pinker below, and in both sexes of the Pigeon the rump is bluish slate instead of brownish as in the Dove, while the Pigeon‘s outer tail-feathers are broadly tipped with white and the Dove‘s more narrowly with gray. ”
