1 6 The Passenger Pigeon 



same breeding place, where the nests, for more than 

 three miles, spotted every tree ; the leaves not being yet 

 out I had a fair prospect of them, and was really 

 astonished at their numbers. A few bodies of pigeons 

 lingered yet in different parts of the woods, the roar- 

 ing of whose wings were heard in various quarters 

 around me. 



All accounts agree in stating that each nest contains 

 only one young squab. These are so extremely fat that 

 the Indians, and many of the whites, are accustomed to 

 melt down the fat for domestic purposes as a substitute 

 for butter and lard. At the time they leave the nest 

 they are nearly as heavy as the old ones, but become 

 much leaner after they are turned out to shift for 

 themselves. 



It is universally asserted in the western countries diat 

 the pigeons, though they have only one young at a time, 

 breed thrice, and sometimes four times in the same 

 season ; the circumstances already mentioned render this 

 highly probable. It is also worthy of observation that 

 this takes place during the period when acorns, beech- 

 nuts, etc., are scattered about in the greatest abundance 

 and mellowed by the frost. But they are not confined 

 to these alone; buckwheat, hempseed, Indian corn, 

 hoUyberries, hackberries, huckleberries, and many 

 others furnish them with abundance at almost all 

 seasons. The acorns of the live oak are also eagerly 

 sought after by these birds, and rice has been fre- 



