CHAPTER XXXII. 



PIGEON FLOCKS IN WISCONSIN 



Supposedly Extinct Wild Variety Hover Over 

 Different Sections 



W-ITHIN the past two weeks, two large flocks of 

 wild pigeons have been seen in Wisconsin, ac- 

 cording to creditable reports. Ten days ago, people 

 living near Dexterville, Wood County, reported the 

 presence of a flock of about fifty. Half a dozen men 

 saw them and declare they cannot be mistaken — that 

 the birds were wild pigeons. A few days later another 

 flock, even larger than that seen at Dexterville, was 

 discovered near New Lisbon. New Lisbon is in the 

 heart of the old nesting grounds, where thirty or forty 

 years ago millions of the birds spent each summer, fed 

 on acorns in the oak groves, hatched their young, and 

 in the fall began their long flight into the south. 



Last One Was in Captivity 



The last pigeon of the Passenger variety known 

 to be in the United States, was in captivity in Phila- 

 delphia some years ago. Its mate had died, and $500 

 was ofifered for a female with which to breed it, but 

 the reward was never claimed. At the same time an 

 ornithological society in the east, offered $L000 for a 



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