1912 J Hodge, A Last Word on the Passenger Pigeon. 173 



after the pigeons and waited until I had something satisfactory to write 

 you. Following is the result of my observations and experiences. 



Could not get a glimpse of the birds until last week, when they came 

 out of the deep woods, in small flocks to feed in the fields as usual just 

 before migrating. In the meantime I had gathered all the data possible 

 from people who had seen them during the past two years. 



As rewards are about to expire and there was danger of the search being 

 given up entirely, I carried a shotgun with me to wound and capture or kill 

 one just to prove absolutely that they make their summer home in this 

 locality. 



At about 8 o'clock on the morning of the 23d inst., while in the same 

 locality that you and I visited and at the spot where I had seen that young 

 one, I saw a full-grown male pigeon strutting along upon the road, in 

 plain view and within easj^ shooting distance. It was such a fine bird 

 I did not shoot but stood gazing at it until it flew away. Am satisfied that 

 in the immediate vicinity is to be found the nesting place. Later in the 

 day I saw a small flock whizzing across the fields, but although I chased 

 nearly all forenoon, I could not get near them. 



(Mr. Fagg then gives a list of several persons who have seen the pigeons 

 during this season and last.) 



"At Gregor, a couple of weeks ago a passenger pigeon was shot and killed. 

 It was cooked and eaten before the diners discovered what a rare bird they 

 had partaken of. From description obtained, I am sure that the bird 



was a true Ectopistes migraiorius Linn By the time that they return 



in the spring proper measures should have been taken for their protection. 

 Altho the nests have not been discovered, there is ample proof that they 

 summer in this big swamp and vicinity." 



Very truly yours, Benn Fagg. 



A final letter contributed by Mr. Chapman is interesting as 

 indicating how many Pigeons a man in a most likely locality has 

 claimed to have observed during the past 19 years. 



Mr. Frank M. Chapman, Editor Bird Lore. 

 Dear Sir: 

 In the last issue of Bird Lore I noticed two items in regard to the 

 extinction of the wild pigeon. I saw one wild pigeon at GulUver, School- 

 craft Co., Michigan about 1892. Again at the same place, one came into 

 my yard, where I watched it from a distance of a few feet for several 

 minutes; the time being May, 1903. At Newberry, Luce Co., Michigan 

 I saw one wild pigeon on each of the days Oct. 13 and Oct. 24, 1909, I saw 

 a small flock June 9, 1910 at Newberry. On two other occasions I have 

 seen birds which may have been and probably were pigeons but owing to 

 unfavorable conditions of observation I am unable to identify the birds 

 with certainty. 



Yours truly, Ralph Beebe, Newberry, Mich. 



Jan. 9, 1911. 



