Jan., 1913 
25 
THE OUTLOOK FOR CONSERVING THE BAND-TAILED PIGEON 
AS A GAME BIRD OF CALIFORNIA 
Ily JOSEPH GRINNELL 
with one map 
(Contribution from the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology of the University of California) 
Contents. 
Introduction 25 
General Distribution of the Band-tailed Pigeon 26 
Local Distribution 26 
Relative Numbers, Past and Present 28 
Food of the Pigeon 28 
Nesting Habits 30 
Rate of Increase 31 
Enemies of the Pigeon 33 
Factors Favoring the Persistence of the Pigeon 34 
The Destruction in 1912 34 
The Value of the Pigeon to Man 35 
Legislation Recommended 36 
Summary 37 
Bibliography 38 
Introduction 
Lip to the present time, the Band-tailed Pigeon has been taken practically 
no account of in the game laws of California. This may have been due to two 
things : to its lesser importance as a game bird, as compared with quail and ducks 
for which California is justly famed, and to its appearance sporadically in large 
numbers, which has given the impression that it was in no danger of depletion. 
The unusual slaughter of pigeons in the southern coast counties in the late 
winter of 1911-12 (see Chambers, 1912, p. 108) has brought forcibly to the at- 
tention of ornithologists, the possibility of the extermination of our western wild 
pigeon. We would certainly be forever blamed if we took no steps to prevent a 
repetition of the deplorably thoughtless treatment which was given the now ex- 
tinct Passenger Pigeon of the eastern states. 
For the purpose of ascertaining the facts in regard to the standing of the 
Band-tailed Pigeon, and with a view of offering appropriate recommendations ai 
the coming legislature, the writer was asked by the Secretary of the State Fish 
and Game Commission to compile all data obtainable in regard to the Band-tailed 
Pigeon, both as it exists now, and as it has occurred in the past. 
This work was undertaken at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, with the 
assistance of Miss Margaret W. Wythe, and the results are presented in the fol- 
lowing pages. Correspondence with many students of birds throughout the state 
produced surprisingly little definite information, and the literature of western 
ornithology proved scarcely more resourceful. We have, of course, exercised dis- 
crimination in getting at the real facts, as contrasted with general and hearsay 
statements. 
It is believed that enough evidence is here given to demonstrate beyond any 
doubt the urgent necessity of the immediate passage of laws giving protection to 
the Band-tailed Pigeon. Otherwise the bird is plainly doomed to take its place 
in the growing list of North American animals which have totally disappeared as 
a result of man’s misuse of natural resources. 
