38 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XV 
this irregularity in winter distribution frees the bird from the danger of continued 
pursuit in one locality, it on the other hand brings the entire pigeon population 
during recurring years into regions thickly populated by man, or at least of easy 
access to the hunter. 
The chief or only value of the pigeon to man lies in its service as a game 
bird, and as such, it is pre-eminently worth cultivating. There is every reason to 
believe that the Band-tailed Pigeon is now represented by such very small nuni- 
bers, as compared with its original abundance, that there are not enough birds 
even to warrant a restricted period of shooting annually. The thing which must 
be done, if we want the bird to figure at all in the future among our game birds, 
is to accord it a close period of at least five years. In this time its numbers should 
regain a stage where a subsequent annual open season would be warranted. 
As it is, the Band-tailed Pigeon has been left practically without protection 
and subjected at times to unlimited slaughter, until the bird is now undoubtedly 
beyond effect by any measure except the close period here advocated. In fact, 
there is grave danger of total extinction, as in the case of the Passenger Pigeon 
of the east. And circumstances are very much the same as regards the attitude of 
man until too late. 
Steps must be taicen immediately to give the Band-tailed Pigeon that degree 
of protection which will insure its permanent existence as a game asset of the 
future. 
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