Holbrook argus., 1910-12-06
PIGEON IS EXTINCT
So Declares Game Commissioner
 of Pennsylvania.
pr. kslbfus Asserts That Those Who Claim to Have Seen Wild Birds Are Merely Careless ob-
 servers

Harrisburg, Pa.-To the ever recur- pigeons in Pennsylvania ?" Chief Game Protector Joseph Kalbfus once more answers an emphatic no"
 Dr. Kalbfus has been Investigating this subject on his own hook, and in cooperation with other seekers after knowledge for years, but feels that the Wild pigeon, or passenger pigeon, is extinct not only in Pennsylvania, but throughout the world, notwithstanding reports to the contrary.
 The cause for the disappearance of this bird, which existed in f1ocks of millions generation ago, can only be conjectured, but it seems that other causes beside wanton destruction by man are found. Dr. Kalbfus sums up the general situation in a letter on the subject, which he wrote to a group of local sportsmen who asked him for information on the subject. He wrote:
 So many inquiries are coming to me regarding the presence of wild pigeons in the United States that I think it best to write you this short letter explanatory of our understand ing of this matter. For some years past certain individuals have been at- tempting to collect data that would prove the presence of the wild pigeon somewhere in the United States or in the world.
 Tn the Forest and Stream issue of September 3 will be found an article by c. F. Hodge, who is connected with the Clark university, Worcester. Mass, who has been for some years past Investigating this matter. This gen. tleman writes that he has received sev- eral hundred communications relative to this matter, but that up to this time he has failed to prove the pres ence of a passenger pigeon anywhere in the United States.
 Many people write him that they are certain of their Identification, that they know what wild pigeons are and are sure the birds are passenger pig cons. Investigation has invariably proved them to be turtle doves or the band tail pigeon, or some bird other than our passenger pigeon. MT. Hodge says in concluding his article that while his investigation is not encour aging, it does not prove beyond the question of a doubt that passenger pigeons may not yet be found and he proposes to continue his investigation for another year. This, it seems to ne, covers Ine grounu stusoTuCeIy n0 difference what reports may be printed in the newspapers; no single instance of the existence in the United States of the presence of the wild pig con has been proved.
 Many reasons for the disappearance of the pigeon have been made; the one that seems to be the most plausible to me is that during the time when these birds were everywhere, there was horde of predatory birds and animals living upon them, following them up and down in their passage through the country. For some req son during the year 1879 vast numbers of these birds were destroyed either hy geese or by being blown to sea in the Pacific, sailors reporting that they sailed for many hours through floating dead pigeons. This, it seems to me, depleted the supply to such an extent that those remaining were not able to withstand the attacks of their many enemies and gradually fell a prey to those enemies until they be- came extinct"