R-U.S.S, 8/1 



Passenger pigeons laid only one egg to a nesting. They bt'ed in Vast 

 colonies, and were easily trapped and killed off in large numbers. They 

 couldn't stand it. Our mourning dove, just about half the size of the 

 passenger pigeon, hatching two eggs at a time instead of one, breeding in 

 scattered localities over a wide range, and gathering for migration only 

 in small flocks, has a much bettor chance for survival. There v;cro onco 

 probabl;;,' 10,000 passenger pigeons to one mourning dove. The passenger pigeons 

 are no more, 3ut the moiirning doves are still plentiful. 



HoT/ever, Mr. Lincoln points out, that bec.^use of its arrow-lilre flight 

 at 30 to 40 miles an hour it is a favorite with ? ' ■'.iterc., and because it is 

 such good eating, it also has many other natural i.-.emif-G. We will have to 

 watch our beautiful moiirning doves carefully if h\;nting is to continue. They 

 must bo protected from over- shoo ting. 



AITiTOU!TCZI,IB::T ! The Wildr Man be back two weeks from today. Remember the 



day and ho'or, and be on hand • .'.i Station for one of these visits 



with Uncle Sam's Katuralists in the United States Department of Agriculture 

 and the woods and fields lying all around this big game preserve of ours. 



-3- 



