WILD PIGEON 117 



like weather-stained wood (the weather-stained birds), 

 fit color for this aerial traveller, a more subdued and 

 earthy blue than the sky, as its field (or path) is be- 

 tween the sky and the earth, — not black or brown, as 

 is the earth, but a terrene or slaty blue, suggesting their 

 aerial resorts and habits. 



Sept. 21, 1859. I sat near Coombs's pigeon-place by 

 White Pond. The pigeons sat motionless on his bare 

 perches, from time to time dropping down into the bed 

 and uttering a quivet or two. Some stood on the perch ; 

 others squatted flat. I could see their dove-colored 

 breasts. Then all at once, being alarmed, would take 

 flight, but ere long return in straggling parties. He 

 tells me that he has fifteen dozen baited, but does not 

 intend to catch any more at present, or for two or three 

 weeks, hoping to attract others. Rice says that white oak 

 acorns pounded up, shells and all, make the best bait for 

 them. 



Sept. 28, 1859. The white pine seed is very abundant 

 this year, and this must attract more pigeons. Coombs 

 tells me that he finds the seed in their crops. Also that 

 he found within a day or two a full-formed egg with 

 shell in one. 



Nov. 8, 1859. Coombs says that quite a little flock of 

 pigeons bred here last summer. He found one nest in a 

 small white pine near his pigeon-stand (where he baited 

 them in the summer), so low he could put his hand in 

 it (I?). 



Jan. 23, 1860. Minott says that pigeons alight in 

 great flocks on the tops of hemlocks in March, and he 

 thinks they eat the seed. (But he also thought for the 



