The Band-tailed Pigeon 



that the Pigeons visit newly planted oat-fields and gather grains scattered 

 upon the surface. Such grain, as Mr. Jewett points out, would not mature 

 anyway; and since the birds neither scratch nor delve, the damage done 

 is immaterial. It is another case of hunting excuses. 



In feeding upon the 

 ground the birds alight 

 in rather close order and 

 proceed in one direction. 

 Those in the rear, soon 

 finding the ground en- 

 tirely bare of food, rise, 

 pass over their fellows, 

 and settle in the line of 

 advance. In this way 

 there is a continuous 

 movement of birds pass- 

 ing forward, and the 

 general effect is of a 

 feathered roller advanc- 

 ing slowly over a field. 

 Acorns are the chief ob- 

 ject of pursuit, and of 

 these, by preference, 

 such as have fallen upon 

 the ground. These 

 acorns are bolted whole, and the sizes which the greedy gullets can 

 accommodate are mildly astonishing. After a good fill-up, the birds 

 retire en masse to some exposed tree-top where they can mount guard 

 against surprise attacks as well as ruminate and fatten. 



As the season advances, the pigeons lay various forms of berries 

 under tribute. Elderberries are favorites everywhere. In a little valley 

 near Eureka I saw pigeons stripping the berries off an elderberry bush 

 which grew hard against the cook-house of a lumber camp. 



In the northwestern counties the fruit of cascara sagrada (Rhamnus 

 purshiana) is eaten with great avidity; and to a lesser extent the coffee- 

 berry (Rhamnus califomica) in the coastal ranges. Huckleberries of 

 every sort are staples of Columbine diet, with salal berries, salmon berries, 

 and madrones in due course. Manzanita berries, whether green or ripe, 

 are eaten at any season. Under stress the birds will also consume the 

 less nutritious Christmas berry (Heteromeles arbutifolia). In fact no 

 edible berry or fruit is overlooked. In early spring, when other suste- 

 nance fails, these pigeons will resort to "browse," selecting oftenest the 



Taken in San Diego County 



A BAND-TAILED SQUAB 



Photo by Clinton C. Abbott 



1157 



