Trapping 



Pigeons may be readily trapped when food is not overly abundant. 

 Objectionable small groups of these birds can soon be removed with a 

 little ingenuity, patience, and time. For such operations a trap of the 

 "ash-sifter" type, 4 or 5 feet square and with a frame about 6 inches 

 deep, will suffice. Such a frame, with 1-inch poultry wire- forming the 

 "sieve," should be propped up on one edge by a stick 10 to 12 inches long 

 to which a pullcord is attached. When the pigeons have become used to 

 feeding on baits placed in and about the trap, the bulk of any small flock 

 should be captured in one or two springings. Removal of the birds from ♦ 

 the trap may be effected by driving them to one corner, where entrance 

 may be made by loosening a section of the screen from the frame or 

 through a small sliding' door built into the frame itself. Similar traps 

 of larger size may be employed for larger flocks. 



Shooting 



As a rule, the use of firearms is either prohibited in metropolitan 

 sections or resorted to only by or under sanction of the police, for this 

 reason gunfire cannot be recommended as a general procedure against ob- 

 jectionable city-dwelling pigeons. Approval of the police, however, can 

 usually be obtained when the birds involved are few in number, and are 

 particularly objectionable. A 22-calibre rifle, using ammunition loaded 

 with fine shot, or a shotgun of small size (.410 gauge) should be used 

 in such control operations, thereby reducing both the danger of ricocheting 

 bullets and the disturbance caused by the discharge of firearms of larger 

 bore. Some types of higher-powered air rifles will also serve. 



Poisoning 



Although the use of poison baits can be effective and reasonably safe 

 in experienced hands, this method of pigeon control in cities is not rec- 

 ommended for the general public. Most poisons are indiscriminate in their 

 action, and there is danger that cfets or dogs may feed on the freshly killed 

 birds and obtain lethal doses from the grain eaten with birds' crops. Fur- 

 thermore, the open exposure of poison within the limits of towns and cities 

 is, as a rule, prohibited by law. 



Where municipalities have in their employ men who have had experience 

 in pest-control operations, poisoning may be given consideration. Even 

 with such operatives, the procedure should be carefully supervised to pre- 

 vent mishaps. Should conditions point to the need of poisoning as a last 

 resort, the Biological Survey will be glad to give to properly qualified 

 persons added information as to procedure. 



Gassing 



The fascination attached to accomplishing control at one fell 

 swoop has led many to the belief that toxic gases are effective in bird 

 control. Under certain peculiarly favorable conditions their use has 

 given satisfactory results, but as a rule, the objections, obstacles, 

 and dangers to be overcome far outweigh the advantages. Here again 

 there is need for the employment of experienced handlers working with 

 the sanction of municipal authorities under proper supervision. Gassing 

 is not recommended for use by uninstructed persons. 



