a-y, 192 2.] 



The Canadian Field-Naturalist 



which about one hundred pigeons had fed until 

 the seed sprouted. The plants were then two 

 inches high and no evidence of damage could be 

 found. In August I examined this crop again and 

 it appeared to be of normal proportions. Pigeons 

 when feeding over a newly planted field take only 

 the surface grain. The amount of seed available 

 would depend on the care taken in sowing; if 

 sown broadcast on newly ploughed land and 

 then harrowed in, as sometimes is done, a larger 

 percentage of seed would be exposed than when a 

 drill had been used, Whether the loss of this grain 

 is of importance or not is a matter for agricultural 

 experts to decide. I have received emphatic 

 statements to the effect that surface grain germ- 

 inates and matures, and equally emphatic denials 

 of this. Be that as it may, there is no question 

 regarding the amount of grain pigeons are able 

 to consume. Their crops are capable of enormous 

 distention and will hold at least a half-pint of 

 grain. Under exceptional conditions such as the 

 exposure of a large pei'centage of seed by heavy 

 rains the loss through pigeons might entail a 

 second sowing. 



When about to feed they usually arrive on the 

 scene in flocks of open formation with many 

 stragglers in the rear and first alight in the ad- 

 jacent trees. Tall dead firs or cedars are always 

 favorite perching trees. In a short time they 

 descend to the ground, not in a body, but in 

 detachments. Systematically they work across 

 the fields, those in the rear constantly flying over 

 those in front to reach fresh ground. A number 

 of birds are always in the air and the flock, advanc- 

 ing rapidly, soon reaches the edge of the crop. At 

 all times they are wary and frequently will rise 

 suddenly from a field for no apparent reason. 

 Their habit of alighting in trees before commencing 

 to feed is probably the reason why fields surround- 

 ed by timber, or those in which isolated trees have 

 been left standing, are selected for their con- 

 centrated attacks. 



After the grain has sprouted, they usually 

 leave for freshly planted fields, if such be available. 

 If not, it is likely that further damage will be caused 

 by their pulling out the sprouts. I have not seen 

 instances of this but have it on good authority 

 that such damage does occur. It is also claimed 

 that at this time pigeons scratch to uncover the 

 seed, but this is a matter that will require in- 

 vestigation. 



From the time seed is planted until the grain 

 is harvested a crop is subject to many factors 

 that may reduce the yield, therefore it is a difficult 

 matter to estimate the reduction due to the 

 presence of pigeons in the spring. The extent of 

 their damage to stooked grain on the other hand 



is readily computed. The presence of pigeons 

 on the stooks is conclusive evidence that they 

 are lessening the farmer's profit by every kernel 

 consumed, and to reckon the extent of such loss 

 merely requires that the number of pigeons 

 present be multiplied by the average crop contents 

 of a few birds and the result reduced to dollars 

 and cents on a daily per capita basis. For some 

 obscure reason they often select a particular field 

 of stooked grain for their operations and pass by 

 identical fields in the immediate vicinity. They 

 return here day after day and when the crop is 

 threshed glean the waste grain among the stubble 

 even when a more abundant supply is available 

 on adjacent fields. 



No complaints have been received of pigeons 

 attacking standing grain and their damage to 

 grain in the stook is confined to certain areas. 

 No doubt this is largely governed by the abund- 

 ance or scarcity of wild fruit. The species of 

 fruit chiefly eaten are Cascara Sagrada, Rhamnus 

 purshiana; Arbutus, Arbutus inenziesi; Salal, 

 Gaultheria shallon; Dogwood, Cornus nuitdlli: 

 Choke Cherries, Prunus, and Elderberries, Sanv- 

 hucus. On Vancouver Island acorns also form an 

 important item in their food supply. 



In the spring pigeons seem to prefer peas to 

 any other food. As they pull up the young plants 

 as well as take what seed has been left on the 

 surface, serious damage to the crop may result if 

 a large number of birds are present. A seventeen- 

 acre field of peas, examined in May when the 

 plants were two inches high, contained several 

 areas forty to sixty yards in circumference, where 

 pigeons had been feeding. At a distance these 

 areas stood out as black patches against the pre- 

 vailing green and a closer examination showed that 

 two-thirds of the plants had been thinned out. 

 While I was examining this field through bincou- 

 lars, a flock of about fifty birds alighted in one of 

 these patches and commenced feeding. As I start- 

 ed to approach, they flew off in a long straggling 

 flock, headed for the distant timber. If peas and 

 grain are sown together the peas will be taken in 

 preference to the grain. In the latter part of 

 August I examined a crop of oats, barley, wheat 

 and peas that had been grown for chicken-feed. 

 Pigeons had fed over this field shortly after it 

 was planted and the owner claimed that prac- 

 tically all the peas had been taken. Examination 

 of the stooks seemed to corroborate his statement 

 as very few pea vines could be found. 



When studying Band-tailed Pigeons in the field 

 one is impressed by their splendid game qualities. 

 Their flight is vigorous and sustained and they 

 are wary at all times. If they are surprised in 

 the timber their departure is noisy and abrupt and 



