384 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



while the others contained eggs — and only one each. The crop of the young 

 bird was full of beech nuts, some of which had the shells on. The hight 

 at which the nests were placed varied from 7 to 30 feet. They were all 

 much more substantial than the published accounts had led me to believe. 

 In fact they were not frail structures at all, but were so compactly built 

 of twigs, that one could by no means see daylight through them. 



Wild pigeons evidently nested somewhere in western New York, or 

 more likely in the forests of Pennsylvania, during the 8o's, or later, as young 

 birds were captured by the author at Springville, in 1882, in 1889 by Mr 

 Kibbe at Mayville, and in the same year by Mr Bacon at Erie, Pa. This 

 is the last definite evidence I have of their having bred in our State or its 

 immediate vicinity, and in the years 1878-82 their numbers had so 

 noticeably decreased that their final extermination was apprehended. The 

 records of the Pigeon's appearance during the closing years of its history 

 may be of interest : 



Cooper, Steuben co., N. Y. May 5, 1875. Immense roost. Forest and Stream, 4: 204 

 Rochester, N. Y. Spring of 1875. Immense flights. Forest and Stream, 6:18 

 " April 10, 1876. Immense flights. Forest and Stream, 6: 171 



Meacham Lake, N. Y. May 2, 1876. Fuller, Forest and Stream. 6: 301 

 Central N. Y. Arrives Mar. 3, 1877. c. breeds. Fowler, Forest and Stream, 7: 36 

 Ithaca, N. Y. Apr. 6, 1877. Becoming rare. C. J. Pennock 

 Buffalo, N. Y. Mar. 8, 1878. c. Forest and Stream, 10: 99 

 Elmira, N. Y. Mar. 7, 1878. Flock. Gleason, Forest and Stream, 10: 503 

 Herkimer co., N. Y. Mar.-Sept. 1878. ab. Egg taken. May 18. C. J. Pennock 

 Lewis CO., N. Y. Mar.-Sept. 1878. Dr C. H. Merriam 

 Ithaca, N. Y. Apr. 2, 1878. 2 seen. C. J. Pennock 

 Eldred, N. Y. Mar. 14, 1879. Forest and Stream, 12: 216 

 Lewis co, N. Y. Apr. 20-Oct. 1879. Dr C. H. Merriam 



" Apr. 20, 1880. Dr C. H. Merriam 



Penn Yan, N. Y. June 1880. 50 seen. Verdi Burtch 

 Lewis CO., N. Y. Aug. 31-Sept. 10, 1881. Dr C. H. Merriam 



" Mar. 3-22, 1882. Dr C. H. Merriam 



Springville, N. Y. Mar. 20-28, 1882. Several flocks of 30-100. E. H. Eaton 

 Troy (market), N. Y. Mar. 23, 1882. Several purchased by A. F. Park 

 Moose River, N. Y. May 2, 1882. Some shot. Dr C. H. Merriam 

 Springville, N. Y. July 21, 1882. Young bird shot. E. H. Eaton 

 Niagara co., N. Y. May 10, 1883. J. L. Davison 

 Lewis CO., N. Y. Apr. 7-May 12, 1883. Dr C. H. Merriam 

 Lowville, N. Y. Apr. 12, 1884. 200 seen. James H. Miller 



