NATURAL HISTORY. 



ECTOPISTES. (Gr. 'EnroiriZu, to migrate.) 



Migratoria (Lat. migratory), the Passenger Pigeon. 



Pigeons that settle on one spot are almost incredible. Wilson, 

 who was present at one of these breeding places, gives the fol- 

 lowing account : 



" Not far from Shelby ville, in the state of Kentucky, about 

 five years ago, there was one of these breeding places, which 

 stretched through the woods in nearly a north and south direc- 

 tion, was several miles in breadth, and was said to be upwards 

 of forty miles in extent ! In this tract almost every tree was 

 furnished with nests, wherever the branches could accommodate 

 them. The pigeons made their first appearance there about 

 the 10th of April, and left it altogether, with their young, before 

 the 25th of May. 



" As soon as the young were fully grown, and before they 

 left the nests, numerous parties of the inhabitants, from all 

 parts of the adjacent country, came with waggons, axes, beds, 



