food being offered by kind-hearted individuals on snowy winter days or 

 by interested children on sunny mornings, and observe also that other es- 

 sentials for avian existence, as shelter and places to breed, are abundant. 

 These factors and a sympathetic or at least tolerant attitude towards the 

 birds by a large part of the populace assure them a continuing livelihood. 



The factors that favor their existence and increase their abundance, 

 however, also aggravate certain problems connected with their presence 

 under modern metropolitan conditions. Those who daily have had to contend 

 with the litter and disturbance of large numbers of roosting or nesting 

 pigeons — including custodians of public buildings, dwellers in apartment 

 houses, and even private-home owners have at times been called upon in 

 self-defense to take action to curb their numbers. Under such conditions, 

 the pleasure and fascination of one individual may become the bane of 

 another. When this occurs, relief measures are necessary for those ad- 

 versely affected. To obtain relief from the objectionable features of 

 overpopulous colonies of pigeons the present suggestions for their control 

 and for the prevention of damage have been prepared. 



STATUS OF THE CITY PIGEON 



The flocks of varicolored pigeons that frequent the larger cities are, 

 as a rule, made up of semi wild, or "tramp,'" individuals to which no one 

 claims ownership. They may breed, nest, raise their young, and live their 

 entire lives without becoming dependent on man other than for the shelter 

 afforded by some tower or portico or for the available waste food. 



In suburban communities and in smaller towns one may encounter flocks 

 that, while paying some allegiance to an owner by returning home to roost, 

 obtain most of their food from the city street; or he may see well-cared- 

 for flocks that are sheltered and fed but make daily flights near their 

 cotes. The latter flocks are readily controlled by their owners, and do 

 not, as a rule, become seriously objectionable. 



With respect to the legality of aggressive action against the semiwild 

 flocks of larger cities, local police regulations must be consulted. There 

 may be restrictions within corporate limits on the use of firearms, traps, 

 poison, baits and other means of control. The recommendations here made 

 presuppose that proper sanction will be obtained from local authorities be- 

 fore action is taken. In this connection mention should be made of the 

 likelihood that individual pigeons of "racing" or "show" strains, which are 

 usually recognizable by the numbered bands en their feet, frequently join 

 the "city crowd." When such birds are found, they should be offered dry 

 food and water and allowed to go on their way. If a bird persists in stay- 

 ing, an inquiry directed to some local pigeon fancier may be of help in 

 locating its owner from the designation on its band. Birds of these strains, 

 because they have been trained and are of value to their owners, should be 

 given every opportunity for returning to their lofts. As an aid in tracing 

 the origin of these pigeons, it may be worth while to mention the principal 

 national associations handling racing or show birds. Pigeons recorded 

 with these organizations are usually the only ones possible to trace. 



