Jan., 1913 OUTLOOK FOR CONSERVING THE BAND-TAILED PIGEON 
33 
found in nests, it seems impossible that, at least as far as our knowledge of the 
species on the Pacific Coast is concerned, more than one brood can be raised each 
year by a single pair of birds. It is probable that, should the nest be robbed, a 
second egg will be laid the same season. And this might account for some of 
the later nestings. We have record of such occurrence (Sharp, 1902, p. 16) : On 
Pine Mountain, San Diego County, May ii, 1901, a bird was flushed from its 
nest containing one egg, incubation advanced; this was taken, and on June 24 of 
the same season a second egg nearly ready to hatch was found in the same nest. 
The question is pertinent as to whether or not pigeons breed the first 
year, that is, when they are a year old. We have no facts to offer in this regard, 
save that domestic pigeons nest the first year. Although Band-tailed Pigeons 
are to be seen in small companies all through the nesting season, it is just as like- 
ly that the constituent birds belong to nesting pairs, congregated for foraging, as 
that they are non-breeders. The writer’s opinion is that the wild pigeon breeds the 
first year. 
From the above facts the startling conclusion is to be drawn that the rate of 
increase of the Band-tailed Pigeon is slower than that of any other game bird in 
America! If successful, each pair of pigeons rears one young per year. 
Each pair of Valley Quail rears on an average ten young per year (see 
Bryant, 1912, p. 138). It is to be inferred that under primitive conditions the 
Band-tailed Pigeon was ten times as immune from fatalities due to predaceous 
animals and other causes aside from senescence as is the quail. For a biological 
axiom postulates that the birth rate in a species has become adjusted to meet the 
maximum death rate to which that species is liable under normal circumstances. 
Enemies of the Pigeon 
Our enquiry has failed to bring to light a single case where a pigeon has 
met death through other than human agency. The Cooper Hawk is in every 
hunter’s experience known to prey regularly upon quail, levying a very heavy tax 
the year through. But no one has reported molestation of pigeons by this or any 
other hawk. 
One may infer something as to the natural enemies of an animal from its be- 
havior. Pigeons fly in the open ; when not foraging they roost on the most promi- 
nent dead-topped tree in the neighborhood, where they perch conspicuously out- 
lined against the sky whether the observer be posted directly beneath or on the 
adjacent hillside. They appear to be unaware of any possibility of attack from a 
winged enemy. The only one to be expected is the Duck Hawk, in coastal re- 
gions where this falcon occurs ; for tame pigeons have been known to be pur- 
sued and captured by it. But, as stated above, we know of not one definite case 
of even the annoyance of the wild pigeon by any species of hawk. Its size and 
heavy coat of feathers doubtless makes the pigeon a less desirable quarry than 
many other game birds. 
When foraging on open ground, pigeons show little trepidation, save as 
closely approached by the hunter, who has educated the birds by repeated shoot- 
ing at the flocks. In the foliage of trees or bushes the birds are likely to re- 
main perfectly quiet upon the approach of man or beast. They thus often elude 
observation altogether. If routed out by too close approach, they leave their 
perch abruptly with a disconcerting clapping of the wings, and with velocity ac- 
quired with surprising quickness are almost instantly far beyond reach of the 
bob-cat's spring or even the shot-gun’s charge. 
To recapitulate, the Band-tailed Pigeon is extraordinarily immune from na- 
