204 The Passenger Pigeon 



and are but a few weeks in assuming their new dress, 

 but the young in the first molt are much longer. At the 

 time of my visit the birds were all in perfect plumage. 

 The young in the downy state are a dark slate-color. 



The pigeons are always timid, and ever on the alert 

 when being watched, and the observer must approach 

 them cautiously to prevent a commotion. They in- 

 herit the instincts of their race in a number of ways. 

 On the approach of a storm the old birds will arrange 

 themselves side by side on the perch, draw the head and 

 neck down into the feathers, and sit motionless for a 

 time, then gradually resume an upright position, spread 

 the tail, stretch each wing in turn, and then, as at a given 

 signal, they spring from the perch and bring up against 

 the wire netting with their feet as though anxious to fly 

 before the disturbing elements. Mr. Whittaker has 

 noticed this same trait while observing pigeons in the 

 woods. 



It was with a peculiar sense of pleasure and satisfac- 

 tion that I witnessed and heard all the facts about this 

 flock, inasmuch as but few of us expect to again have 

 such opportunities with this pigeon in the wild state. 

 It is to be hoped that, if Mr. Whittaker continues to 

 successfully increase these birds, he will dispose of a 

 pair to some zoological gardens; for what would be a 

 more valuable and interesting addition than an aviary 

 of this rapidly diminishing species? 



