The Band-tailed Pigeon 



never existed in numbers to justify comparison with the invading hordes 

 of migrator ins. It is much less gregarious in habit; and, in particular, 

 it does not colonize closely at nesting time. It was this last-named 

 trait, and not some mysterious epidemic or disaster at sea, which, coupled 

 with the attendant persecutions of market hunters, in all probability 

 proved the undoing of the eastern marvel. 



In only one instance of recent report has the Band-tailed Pigeon 

 appeared in such numbers as to recall the tales of former days — and other 

 climes. In the fall and winter of 1911-12, lured by an unusual crop of 

 acorns, and impelled, no doubt, by corresponding "crop" failures else- 

 where, immense numbers of Band-tailed Pigeons appeared in the interior 

 valleys of Santa Barbara County, centering about the town of Los 

 Olivos. It is probable that practically the entire summer population 

 of California north of the Tehachipe, Oregon, Washington, and British 

 Columbia concentrated at this point. It is not surprising, therefore, 

 that "millions" of birds should have been reported in this section, although 

 half a million would probably be much nearer the truth. 



What followed on this occasion was a humiliating example of what 

 human cupidity, callousness, and ignorance, when unrestrained, will 

 accomplish toward the destruction of birds. Reports of the birds' 

 'abundance spread rapidly. The "Wild Pigeon" of the East had un- 

 expectedly turned up in the West. Hunters from the outside flocked 

 to the scene. Every gun was put into commission. By automobiles 

 and train loads they came. The country was aroar with gunfire. The 

 ammunition business jumped in a dozen towns. Enterprising dealers 

 organized shipments to the San Francisco and other markets. W. 

 Lee Chambers, writing for "The Condor,"i reports a Sunday excursion of 

 hunters from San Luis Obispo which brought home 1560 birds. Another 

 man, hunting for the San Francisco market, killed 280 pigeons under 

 one oak in one day. The stupid birds, knowing nothing of their offense, 

 flew miserably from one part of the valley to another, but would not, 

 or could not, forsake their food. How great the destruction of that 

 winter really was is matter of merest conjecture, but it must have been 

 a very sensible proportion, possibly more than half the entire species. 



I passed through this section of the country on the first of the fol- 

 lowing April and saw only 28 pigeons, but the sides of the road in many 

 places were so covered with paper waste from cartridge boxes that I was 

 reminded of a street in Chinatown on the morning after New Year's. 

 Fortunately, this destruction and the agitation which ensued prompted the 

 Government to declare a five-year closed season on Band-tailed Pigeons. 



Farmers urged in extenuation of this slaughter that the Pigeons 



'Vol. XIV., p. 108; Vol. XV., pp. 41,42. 



H55 



