The Band-tailed Pigeon 



Distribution in California. — Breeding locally and in variable numbers in Transi- 

 tion and timbered Upper Sonoran areas west of the Sierran divide, but chiefly in moun- 

 tainous districts. The normal winter home of the species, so far at least as the Pacific 

 states are concerned, is in northern and interior Santa Barbara County and in Ventura 

 County, but their exact distribution at this season depends upon the acorn crop. 



Authorities. — Vigors (Columba monilis), Zool. Voy. "Blossom," 1839, p. 26, pi. 

 10 (Monterey); Bendire, Life Hist. N. Am. Birds, vol. i., 1892, p. 122 (habits, nest 

 and eggs) ; Oilman, Condor, vol. v., 1903, p. 134 (s. Calif.; habits) ; Grinnell, Condor, 

 vol. xv., 1913, p. 25, map (occurrence in Calif., food, habits, destruction, etc.); Grin- 

 nell, Bryant and Storer, Game Birds Calif., 1918, p. 575, figs, (general account). 



WE FIND, rather to our surprise, that neither dictionaries nor 

 bird-books define a difference as between "pigeons" and "doves." The 

 terms are everywhere treated as synonymous. The case is analogous to 



that of "toadstool" and "mushroom." The 

 mycologist assures us that these two terms 

 are absolutely identical, yet popular appre- 

 hension persists in regarding all poisonous 

 mushrooms as toadstools, and in reserving 

 the name mushroom for edible toadstools. 

 Is there not really a somewhat similar feeling 

 in regard to the use of "doves" and "pig- 

 eons"? I think I voice the popular feeling 

 when I define doves as Columbids which, 

 by reason of small size, familiarity, gentle- 

 ness, or other endearing qualities, are not 

 properly regarded as fit objects of the chase. 

 Pigeons, on the other hand, are those Colum- 

 bids which, by reason of large size, gre- 

 gariousness, stolidity, or general default of 

 engaging qualities, are chiefly regarded for 

 their food value. The term "dove" connotes affection, gentleness, 

 purity, and peace. The term "pigeon" means nothing beyond mere 

 huntableness, or, by implication, those very qualities of approachability, 

 gullibility, and stupidity which play into the hunter's hand. Pigeons are 

 game-birds, and doves are non-game-birds. The writer is willing to 

 abide by this definition in so far as it affects this and the succeeding 

 species of California birds. 



The Band-tailed Pigeon of the West has been somewhat confused both 

 in thought and report with his famous cousin, now extinct, the Migratory, 

 or Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) , of the East. The two 

 species had little in common beyond the senseless confusion of identity. 

 While formerly much more abundant than it is now, our western bird 



BAND-TAILED PIGEON 



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