172 The Passenger Pigeon 



for thirty days, with an average of 8,250 dozen to the 

 carload. Now, when one asks you what has become of 

 the wild pigeons, refer them to C. H. Engle, Stephen 

 Stowe, Chas. Sherburne, and Hiram Corwin, and a man 

 by the name of Miles from Wisconsin, Mr. Miles hav- 

 ing caught 500 dozen in a single day. And when you 

 are asked what has become of the wild pigeons, figure 

 up the shipping bills, and they will show what has 

 become of this, the grandest game bird that ever cleft 

 the air of any continent. 



My young friends, I want to humbly ask your for- 

 giveness for having taken a small part in the destruc- 

 tion of this, the most exciting of sport. And there is 

 not one of us but is ashamed of the slaughter which has 

 robbed you of enjoyment. If we had been restrained 

 by laws of humanity, you, too, could have enjoyed this 

 sport for years to come. 



