Jan., 191.3 OUTLOOK FOR CONSERVING THE BAND-TAILED PIGEON 
35 
slaughter has taken place as that noted in the southern coast counties of this 
state in the winter of 1911-12 (Chambers, 1912, p. 108). Indeed, as suggested by 
the writer cited, such unmitigated destruction could not last long without com- 
plete extinction as a result. In substance Chambers’ account is as follows : 
“Band-tailed Pigeons were abundant the past winter from Paso Robles south 
to Nordhoff all through the coast range of mountains. One hunter from Los 
Olivos shipped over 2,000 birds to the San Francisco and Los Angeles hotels. 
The morning train from San Luis Obispo to Los Olivos on Sundays averaged 
TOO passengers who came to hunt pigeons. A prominent hunter stated that these 
passengers averaged about thirty birds apiece per day. That would make this one 
day’s excursion account for over 3,000 pigeons. Now — this is only one train and 
one day’s hunting! One can hardly calculate the number of birds killed by hunt- 
ers in automobiles, and by those who started from Los Angeles, San Francisco, 
Santa Barbara, Ventura, Santa Maria, Paso Robles, Lompoc, and other smaller 
towns. 
“The writer, who is in the gun and ammunition business, was thoroughly 
disgusted with the game hogs who simply shot pigeons for the sport ( ?) and 
could not even eat them all. It is a shame that something is not done for these 
beautiful birds, which are doomed to follow in the footsteps of the Passenger 
Pigeon. I honestly believe that the people will never again see such a flight of 
Band-tailed Pigeons. In Nordhoff it is the largest they have ever seen, and the 
birds evidently hung around until thev were simply shot out. This same state of 
affairs is probably true in other localities. 
“If something is not done very c|uickly these birds are doomed ; for any 
bird that flies in such flocks is bound to be exterminated. What can be done?’’ 
It IS probable that an unusual concentration of the pigeons from the whole 
Pacific Coast region into a district easily reached by hunters gave exceptional 
opportunity for the infliction of the slaughter above recounted. The weak place 
in the pigeon’s defense thus comes when conditions of restricted food supply 
force it into localities where its survival depends upon whether or not hunting is 
sanely regulated. Obviously, suitable legislation must be enacted at once, before 
chance of a repetition, even in lesser degree, is afforded. 
Thl Value of the Pigeon to Man 
A bird in its relation to man may be considered in four different bearings. 
(a) No matter what the degree of value of an animal to man’s interests 
(and it may, on the whole, be even of extreme detriment), to allow complete exter- 
mination is out of harmony with an enlightened consideration of the future. Our 
successors will not approve of our thoughtlessness in com])letely destroying the 
grizzlv bear! No matter if the Band-tailed Pigeon had no value, or was even 
noxious economically, this is no reason why the life of the spcdcs should be 
jeopardized. 
(b) Very many of our birds are of pleasing plume, cheerful manner, and 
attractive song, thus bringing an active appreciation on the part of the majority 
of mankind. In this role birds at large have a marked e.sthetic value. The Band- 
tailed Pigeon is admittedly of very little or no attractiveness on this score. Its 
voice is not at all pleasing, as is that of the Mourning Dove, and its reclusive 
habits bring it rarely to the notice of any except the hunter. 
(c) The economic value of many birds is positive. They perform distinct 
service in destroving injurious insects or seeds. Other birds are decidedly the 
reverse, because of their ravages on croj'>s. As shown on j:)revious jiages of this 
