The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1911-03-24

birds. In order to get the
reward the person who makes the dis
coyery must leave the nest and the
birds unmolested and prove the truth OF
It by making a report and giving the sci
enusts an opportunity to verify the case. :
Magazine and newspaper articles lit =
orally by the thousands have been writ -.
ten about the disappearance of the
wild pigeons which once, as il is al
ways put, "darkened the sun with their
flights" The members Of the biologi-
cal survey In Washington are specially
interested In the subject of the disap-
pearance Of this bird Of passage from
It's wild haunts. For years It has been
hoped that nesting pairs might be found
In some part of the country and that
with proper protection the bird might
be restored in part at least to its place
In nature.
Recently there was story published
TO the effect that the birds. weared Of
the constant persecution which met
them In the United States had changed
the course of their flight and had gone
into Mexico and there were living peace
fully and happily. This story proved to
be absolutely without foundation. Still
another tale was to the effect that the
pigeons had gone into the heart OF South
America and there finding conditions
pleasant were leading a non-migratory
life This tale also proved to be en-
trely fictitious.
In all parts of the southern states in
the winter seasons there are people
watching sharp-eyed for a glimpse Of
the bird that once was a common sight
In the summer sharp eyes of the north
are constantly on the alert for the same
has been received that the bird of mys-
FERROUS disappearance has revisited the
scenes familiar through the centuries to
its ancestors.
One of the scientists most interested
in the search for the Wild pigeon is
Rutnven Deane, fellow of the American
Ornithologists union and president OF
the Illinois Audubon Society for the
Protection Of Wild Birds Mr. Deane =
virtually has given up all hope that any
living specimen of the passenger pigeon
ever Will be found but he is as tireless
today as ever in tracing reports of the
birds temperance to their sources
The offer of $500 for the discovery of
nesting pair of the pigeons and their
undisturbed nest comes from Clifton R.
Hodge Of Clark university but 500 ad-
ditonal will be paid for the discovery
OF pair of birds and their nest if found
In the state of Illinois. The additional
reward is the Joint offer of Mr. Deane
and, as l remember It, of Professor Whitman
the University of Chicago.
One of the most curious features of
search for the wild pigeon is the mistakes wi
are made constantly by men who years
trapped the pigeons and were as familiar v
their appearance as they were, and are to
for hat With
mon robin Of the dooryard Reports have CT
in from all sections OF the country of the r,
pearance of the pigeon, but on investigation
Invariably has been found that the discover
had seen nothing more nor less than the c
mon wild dove (venaidura macroura), or MOI
Ing dove, which Is so familiar a bird thai
seems almost impossible that any man Of
countryside could have failed to overlook It
his constant neighbor and could confuse It v
Its much larger cousin, the passenger pigeon
other days.
To give an example Of how the search is
Quoted for the wild pigeon and how conscientI
are the scientists In attempting to verify rep
OF its temperance this one instance, taken Il
hundred instances, may be noted Recent
report from northern Michigan reached the DR.
dent Of the Illinois Audubon society that
passenger pigeon in very truth had reappea
in the vicinity Of club house frequented
fishermen and gunners. many Of whom
known the pigeon well in the old days and
were certain that in this case they could
be mistaken as to the identity of the bird
itors.
1t was a long journey to the northern MI
gan club house, but an ornithologist undert
the trip believing in his heart that finally
passenger pigeon had been found, for he kl
hat ha N1bO nod a.
familiar with the bird in the old days and
posedly knew the appearance Of its every feat
At the end Of the journey he was told that
pigeons were there and he was led out to
them. They proved to be mourning doves
bird common in nearly all parts Of MIchi
and In most OF the states OF the Union. The
appointment WAS keen, and keener In this
because this was one report which seemed
have about It every mark Of truth
When | was a boy | knew the wild pig
fairly well It was nothing like as abund
as It had been in the years gone by, but o.
sionally small focks were seen In the vicinity
my birthplace IN the foothills of the Adirond
mountains in central New York I am sorry
say that l shot some OF the birds beSre f
realized the value Of giving protection to a '
ishing race. The mourning dove know as Y
rs know the English sparrow, and I think
there Is no chance of confusion in my mind
specting the identity OF the dove and It's big
relative, the pigeon. 1t Is possible though l
not sure that such is q fact, that l saw the
wild pigeon reported in Illinois Others I
have been seen since that time within the
ders OF the state, but If so have not seen Il
appearance reported.
At five o'clock on the morning of late A
day. fifteen years ago, went into Lincoln p;