THE PASSENGER PIGEON IN PENNSYLVANIA 231 



money offered for an undisturbed nest, but I guess 

 it is a long chance to f^nd the nests. 



''The mourning dove is here also, but they are 

 always in pairs or four at this time. In fact. I saw a 

 pair not an hour after seeing this band. 



''I have talked with men from other counties, 

 who have seen the pigeons. Our county school com- 

 missioner, H. S. Babcock, Harbor Springs, and Wil- 

 liam O'Neil, proprietor of the Park Hotel, Petoskey. 

 claim to have seen them for several years and the 

 latter was here in the great nesting time. 



"I write you because, like you, I think they should 

 •be protected and brought to the attention of some 

 authorities who will make it their business to save 

 them if possible. 



*'The game department of this state has taken no 

 steps to my knowledge. I am going to write them to- 

 day. I get so many letters in regard to them, it is 

 some job to answer them all." 



Yours respectfully, 



R. F. O'REILLY. 



There seems to be no reason to doubt the repeated 

 statements of Mr. O'Reilly, in regard to the remnant 

 of the wild pigeons which he has had under observa- 

 tion for years. He not only gives his own word, but 

 he gives the names of others who know of these pig- 

 eons, and will verify his statements. 



It is exceedingly probable that a few of these birds 

 may still visit the old roosts in :\Iichi^an, where thev 



