The Band-tailed Pigeon 
never existed in numbers to justify comparison with the invading hordes 
of migratorius. It is much less gregarious in habit; and, in particular, 
it does not colonize closely at nesting time. It was this last-named 
trait, and not some mysterious epidemic or disaster at sea, which, coupled 
with the attendant persecutions of market hunters, in all probability 
proved the undoing of the eastern marvel. 
In only one instance of recent report has the Band-tailed Pigeon 
appeared in such numbers as to recall the tales of former days—and other 
climes. In the fall and winter of 1911-12, lured by an unusual crop of 
acorns, and impelled, no doubt, by corresponding “crop” failures else¬ 
where, immense numbers of Band-tailed Pigeons appeared in the interior 
valleys of Santa Barbara County, centering about the town of Los 
Olivos. It is probable that practically the entire summer population 
of California north of the Tehachipe, Oregon, Washington, and British 
Columbia concentrated at this point. It is not surprising, therefore, 
that “millions” of birds should have been reported in this section, although 
half a million would probably be much nearer the truth. 
What followed on this occasion was a humiliating example of what 
human cupidity, callousness, and ignorance, when unrestrained, will 
accomplish toward the destruction of birds. Reports of the birds’ 
abundance spread rapidly. The “Wild Pigeon” of the East had un¬ 
expectedly turned up in the West. Hunters from the outside flocked 
to the scene. Every gun was put into commission. By automobiles 
and train loads they came. The country was aroar with gunfire. The 
ammunition business jumped in a dozen towns. Enterprising dealers 
organized shipments to the San Francisco and other markets. W. 
Lee Chambers, writing for “The Condor,”' reports a Sunday excursion of 
hunters from San Luis Obispo which brought home 1560 birds. Another 
man, hunting for the San Francisco market, killed 280 pigeons under 
one oak in one day. The stupid birds, knowing nothing of their offense, 
flew miserably from one part of the valley to another, but would not, 
or could not, forsake their food. How great the destruction of that 
winter really was is matter of merest conjecture, but it must have been 
a very sensible proportion, possibly more than half the entire species. 
I passed through this section of the country on the first of the fol¬ 
lowing April and saw only 28 pigeons, but the sides of the road in many 
places were so covered with paper waste from cartridge boxes that I was 
reminded of a street in Chinatown on the morning after New Year’s. 
Fortunately, this destruction and the agitation which ensued prompted the 
Government to declare a five-year closed season on Band-tailed Pigeons. 
Farmers urged in extenuation of this slaughter that the Pigeons 
'Vol. XIV., p. 108; Vol. XV., pp. 41,42. 
UBS 
