The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1911-03-22

u.s., OtnerWlse known as
the passenger pigeon, and
finds with 1t the nesting
birds. In order to get the
reward the person who makes the dis
covery must leave the nest and the
birds unmolested and prove the truth of
1t by making report and giving the sci
entists 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 it 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
Its wild haunts. For years 1t 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 a story published
to the effect that the BIRDS wearied 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-
tirely 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
purpose. but yet no authentic report
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
Ruthven Deane, fellow of the American
Ornithologfsts' 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 tireIess
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 800 ad-
ditional will be paid for the discovery
OF pair OF birds and their nest IL found
In the state OF Illinois. The additional
cNNi VI -"i. DedHe
anu as ! remember II. OF Professor Whitma
the University of Chicago
one Vi tne most curious features OF
oeafen ior tne via pigeon Is the mistakes W
aio inaue constantly by men who years
uapPeu the pigeons and were as familiar
.neh appearance as they were, and are +
ior Una, matter, with the appearance OF the
mon rooih OF the oooryard Reports have
IN from all sections OF the country of the
pearance Of the pigeon but on investigate
invariably mas oeen found that the discovs
hau seen hothihg more nor less than the
mon WIG dove tVenaidura macroura), or me
ing oo'e' "hich Is SO familiar bird thi
seems almost Impossible that any man OF
countryside could have failed to overlook
MS constant neighbor and could confuse 1t
It's much Larger cousin. the passenger pigeo
other days.
To give an example OF how the search is
Quoted Tor the Wild pigeon and how conscient
are the scientists In attempting to verify rel
OF Its temperance this one instance. taken
a hundred Instances. may be noted Recent
report from northern Michigan reached the p
dent OF the illinois Audubon society that
passenger pigeon In very truth had reappe
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
ftors.
II was long journey to the northern NJ