Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-11-30
ONE WILD PIGEON LEFT.

ONE WILD PIGEON LEFT.
Lone Ohio Bird sarvives Breed Of
I3tllions.
NEW Yoax, Nov. - - One solitary
passenger pigeon, ending her life II The
zooloxicsl garden In Cincinnati, 10 to-day
all that remains Of an American speeches
that early in the last century swarmed
over the continent in 6ocks Numbering
billions, according 70 reports just received
~ the headquarters OF the national
association Of Audubon societies in this
city.
With the death OF this sole survivor OF .
bird tribe whose nesting places often
covered hundred Of square miles, thsre
will soon disappear the lest TRACE OF tbs
Wild pigeons that have been siaug htered
BY the million BY men who fed their
hogs upon the carcasses they could not
carry away. Though It 10 too late 70 savs
this species, special efforts are now icing
made by the Audubon workev to bring
about the restoration OF other birds OF
economic value that must otherwise share
the same fate.
For many months systematic search has
been made throughout the continent BY
ofbcials OF the Audubon association fos
relics OF the once prolific passenger
pigeon. Members OF the organization,
headed BY Professor Z. r. Hodge, OF Clark
university, have made . standing oflsr Of
q 500 to anyone discovering meet OF this
species; but, though thousands have been
trying eagerly for the prize, mot one single
claimant has sppearsd.
In rssponse to . recent inquiry BY T.
Gilbert Pearson, SECRETARY Of the national
association Of Audubon societies, the
authorities Of the Cincinnati roo have iuss
furnished the last chapter in the tragic
talc Of these butchered birds.
The s'last OF the passenger pigeons" 10
female eighteen years old, whose mate
died recently without issue ct the age OF
twenty four.
Az late - 1877, what 10 nov known to
have been the last nesting place OF these
wild birds vas found In Michigan, where
their nests thickly covered tho trees over
an arss twsnty-eiRht mikes long and four
sAss%1S = NV As<BSaEht4 VI totA GAky 0&E48tV
that in lSoo they Hooked over Manhattan
island in such numbers that they obscured
the sun, and that chips loaded in bulk
~ith the bodies OF these birds lay Ut the
wharves selling them at one cent each.
Audubon ID quoted a. observing q
roosting-place OF wild pigeons in
Kentucky early in the last century that
extended forty miles and was three miles
In width. On its edges men with guns,
nets, clubs and torches slaughtered the
roosting birds, each often bagging 500 in
one day. Whom the Wholesale butchers
could carry away no more, they let loosc
droves of hogs to fatten on what was left.
About ls56 this treatment began to thin
the ranks OF the passenger pigeons, till
two years ago II was discovered that only
seven could be found on the whole CONT
nent four at Milwaukee and three in
Cincinnati.
Declaring that practically all the Eulis
and terms in America to-day have survived
solely through the work OF protection and
restoration It their reservations, leaders
OF the national association Of Audubon
societies are nos appalling TO the people
Of this country TO support the work Of
preserving dying species OF native birds
which they have already begun.
The upland plovcr. Caboes tern and the
least tern, they assert, can now be saved to
the nation BY quick emergency measures,
for which special funds are to Be raised.
The work Of restoring the wood duck
and other game birds that arc Threatened
with the fate Of the passenger pigeon 10 to
be undertaken BY the Audubon woskers
with tbs support OF the sportsmen OF the
country.
Sad Is Is the passing Of the passenger
pigeon, its iesson may avert the extinction
Of other valuable species, 1t il declared. IL
tho Amsrican people rally II once to save
their remaining birds resources.