cole] pigeons 31 



instance was observed of catching insects on the wing, nor were 

 the parent birds observed taking food from the trees or shrubs 

 near by. The food seemed to consist mainly of earth worms 

 and larvae of insects. Occasionally, the birds brought black ob- 

 jects to the nest, which were very probably beetles. 



So the Wood Thrush, too, must be classed as economically 

 important in destroying our insect enemies. As many as three 

 objects were observed to be brought to the nest at a single feed- 

 ing. It is easy to see what a potential check such a bird family 

 as this is, upon the increase of injurious insects of a locality. Yet, 

 here, a single day in the history of a single bird family, only, 

 is recorded. 



So, with each of these studies, but a single day in the life 

 of a single bird family is told. Day by day these birds go un- 

 observed about their work, destroying noxious insects, consum- 

 ing weed seed, thus, helping to maintain the balance of life in 

 the great natural scheme of things, and make the world more 

 habitable. But many are the factors at work today, to decrease 

 the bird population, and as it decreases, trouble with insect pests 

 is certain to increase. A wider protection must be afforded our 

 birds. The spirit of protection can best be taught through the 

 public schools. And if the teachers, who gathered these data, 

 have been deeply enough impressed with their economic signifi- 

 cance, so that they will go back to their schools and teach a 

 more intelligent protection and encouragement of bird life, at 

 least something will have been accomplished toward securing 

 an increased protection for our birds. 



Pigeons 



Leon J. Cole. 



One who has visited a poultry show where pigeons are ex- 

 liibited, must have been struck by the great \Tiriety of form, 

 feather and color pattern displayed in the different breeds of 

 these birds. There is probably no other kind of domestic animal 

 which shows such a diversity unless it be the dog, which now 

 includes a great range of structural modifications. But where- 

 as the dog is supposed to have had a multiple origin from several 

 more or less closely related wild species, all the forms of domes- 

 ticated pigeons are commonly believed to be descended from a 

 single wild progenitor, — the wnld Rock Pigeon, which is still to be 

 found on certain of the remote islands of the North British coast. 



