52 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 70. 



the great danger of complete extinction of the species. 



"Until January 1. IDll. during Mr. Beebe's absence from Amer- 

 ica, address all correspondence on the subject to C. F. Hodge, Clark 

 University. Worcester. iNIass.. who will arrange for confirming party 

 and payment of the award, if a nesting colony is found." 



This action is. in part, a result of a paper presented to the Union 

 by Mr. Hodge on "The Present Status of the Passenger Pigeon 

 Problem." In this paper he took the position that as long as there 

 is life there is hope — as long as there is any possibility of strag- 

 glers of this valuable bird existing on the continent we ought to 

 do all in our power to save them. He said that he would not kill 

 a specimen for $1,000 even to prove that he had seen one, and 

 wished that every one else felt as he does. All offers for skins or 

 dead birds ought to be withdrawn, because at the present crisis 

 these might result In killing the last pair. 



At the close of the session Colonel Kuser said to Dr. Hodge that 

 he wished to withdraw his offer for a* freshly killed passenger 

 pigeon. Dr. Hodge said that he did not expect everyone to agree 

 with him, but Colonel Kuser replied that he also felt that he would 

 not have one of the birds killed for $1,000. "Well, then," replied 

 Dr. Hodge. " why not let your offer stand for the location of a live 

 specimen?" Colonel Kuser said: "I would gladly give $200 for 

 that." 



Some discussion as to how the award should be announced fol- 

 lowed. It hardly seemed worth while to offer an award for the 

 sight of a bird that might be lost or dead the next day. It was 

 clear that the important thing is to arouse universal interest in the 

 matter and to take some action which may lead to saving the spe- 

 cies from extermination. Finally Dr. Hodge said in effect : " What 

 we want is to locate a breeding colony. Why do you not offer the 

 award of $200 for an undisturbed nest? Then the birds will be 

 there long enough to make identification absolutely sure ; we shall 

 know that they are actually breeding, and around such a find we 

 can organize adequate protective measures." " I would give $300 

 for that," exclaimed Colonel Kuser, and so the matter was left for 

 Messrs. Beebe and Hodge to draw up the announcement. 



It seems now with Colonel Kuser's generous offer for a begin- 

 ning, that an adet]uate search of the American continent should be 

 set on foot, and if any of the birds are found breeding we ought to 

 (luickly effect the organization of a Passenger Pigeon restoration 

 club with mendtership distributed throughout the United States and 

 Canada. This club could then take up the details of protective 

 work. In connection with the State Game Commissions and sports- 

 men's clubs it could obtain adequate State legislation and warden 

 service, so that for a term of years the birds may be permitted to 



