The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1911-03-29

finds with 1t the nesting
birds. In order to get the
reward the person who makes the dis
ccvery must leave the nest and the
birds unmolested and prove the truth OF
IT 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
Gen about the disappearance OF the
wild pigeons which once, as 1t Is al
ways put, "darkened the Sun with their
flights" The members of the biologi-
Gai survey in Washington are specially
Interested in the subject of the disap-
pearance of this bird of passage from
its wild haunts. For years il 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
ia nature.
Recently there was a story published
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
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-
tireiy fictitious.
In all parts Of the southern states in
the winter seasons there are people
Watching sharpeyed for a glimpse of
tle bird that once was common sight.
In the summer sharp eyes of the north
are constantly on the alert for the same
purpose, but as yet no authentic report
les been received that the bird of mys-
ieIiOUs 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
Psychologists union and president of
The Illinois Audubon Society for the
Protection of Wild Birds Mr.. Deane
siriualiy has given up all hope that any
living specimen of the passenger pigeon
ever will be found. but he is as tireless
'oday as ever in tracing reports of the
birds temperance to their sources.
The offer of $500 for the discovery of a
Nesting pair of the pigeons and their
undisturbed nest comes from Clifton II.
Hadse OF Clark university. but S1OO ad-
diiiOnal will be paid for the discovery
nf a pair of birds and their nest if found
In the state of Illinois. The additional
reward is the joint offer OF Mr.. Deane
ana. as remember il, of Professor Whitr
The University of Chicago.
one or the most curious features n
search for the wild pigeon is the mistakes
are made constantly by men who year
trapped the pigeons and were as familia
Their appearance as they were, and are
for that matter. with the appearance of tn
mon robin of the dooryard. Reports have
d from all sections of the country of the
aearance of the pigeon, but on investiga
invariably has been found that the disco
Rad seen nothing more nor less than tn,
mon wild dove (venaidura maCroura), or ]
lag dove. which is SO familiar a bird
seems almost impossible that any man {
countryside could have failed to overlook
his constant neishbor and could confuse 1
its much larger cousin, the passenger pig
other days.
TO give an example of how the search
6nctcd for the wild pigeon and how console
Of its temperance this one instance, takel
a hundred instances, may be noted. Rece
report from northern Michigan reached the
dent of the Illinois Audubon society thu
passenger pigeon in very truth had reap
in the vicinity of q club house frequent
fishermen and gunners. many of whom
Known the pigeon well in the old days an
were certain that in this case they cou
h go,
Eors.
1t was long journey to the northern
gan club house. but an ornithologist und
the trip believing in his heart that final
passenger pigeon had been found. for he
that the men who had made the report hat
familiar with the bird in the old days an
posedly knew the appearance of its every f,
At the end of the journey he was told tn
pigeons were there and he was led out
them. They proved to be mourning do
bird common in nearly all parts of Mi
and I'm most OF the states of the Union. T.
appointment was keen. and keener in thi
because this was one report which seen
have about it every mark of truth.
When l was a boy l knew the wild
fairly well. 1t was nothing like as abb
as It had been in the years gone by, but
si0nally small flocks were seen in the vicil
Try birthplace in the foothills of the Adirt
mountains in central New York. / am SO
say that I shot some of the birds before
realized the value of giving protection to
ishing race. The mourning dove l know q
as I know the English sparrow. and thin
there is TO chance Of confusion in my mi
speeding the identity of the dove and its
relative. the pigeon. 1t is possible. though
not sure that such Is fact. that l saw II
wild pigeon reported in Illinois. Other
have been seen since that time within til
ders of the state. but if so have not seel
appearance reported.
At five o'clock on the morning Of late
day, fifteen years ago. went into Lincoln