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 Jan., 1913 OUTLOOK FOR CONSERVING THE BAND-TAILED PIGEON 33 found in nests, it seems impossible that, at least as far as our knowledge of the species on the Pacific Coast is concerned, more than oe brood can be raised each year by a single pair of birds. It is probable that, hould th nest be robbed, a second egg will be laid the same season. And this might account for some of the later nestings. We have record of such occurrence. (Sharp 19o2, p: 16): On Pine Mountain, San Diego County, May 11, 19Ol , a bird was flushed from its nest containing one egg, incubation advanced; this was taken, and on June 24 of the same season a second egg nearly ready to hatch was found in the same nest. The question is pertinent as to whether or not pigeons breed the first year, that is, when they are a year old. We have no facts to offer in this regard, save that domestic pigeons nest the first year. Although Band-tailed Pigeons are to be seen in small companies all through the nesting season, it is just as like- ly that the constituent birds belong to nesting pairs, congregated for foraging, as that they are non-breeders. The writer's opinion is that the wild pigeon breeds the first year. From the above facts the startling conclusion is to be drawn that the rate of increase of the Band-tailed Pigeon is slower than that of any other game bird in America! If successful, each pair of pigeons rears one young per year. Each pair of Valley Quail rears on an average ten young per year (see Bryant, 1912, p. 138 ). It is to be inferred that under primitive conditions the Band-tailed Pigeon was ten times as immune from fatalities due to predaceous animals and other causes aside from senescence as is the quail. For a biological axiom postulates that the birth rate in a species has become adjusted to meet the maximum death rate to which that species is liable under normal circumstances. ENEIIES oF THE PIGEON Our enquiry has failed to bring to light a single case where a pigeon has met death through other than human agency. The Cooper Hawk is in every hunter's experience known to prey regularly upon quail, levying a very heavy tax the year through. But no one has reporte d molestation of pigeons by this or any other hawk. One may infer something as to the natural enemies of an animal from its be-- havior. Pigeons fly in the open; when not foraging they roost on the most promi- nent dead-topped tree in the neighborhood, where they perch conspicuously out- lined against the sky whether the observer be posted directly beneath or on the adjacent hillside. They appear to be unaware of any ossibility of attack from a winged enemy. The only one to be expected is the Duck Hawk, in coastal re- gions where this falcon occurs; for tame pigeons have been known to be pur- sued and captured by it. But, as stated above, we know of not one definite case of even the annoyance of the wild pigeon by any species of hawk. Its size and heavy coat of feathers doubtless makes the pigeon a less desirable quarry than many-other game birds. When foraging on open ground, pigeons show little trepidation, save as closely approached by the hunter, who has educated the birds by repeated shoot- ing at the flocks. In the foliage of trees or bushes the birds are likely to re- main perfectly quiet upon the approach of man or beast. They thus often elude observation altogether. If routed out by too close approach, they leave their perch abruptly with a disconcerting clapping of the wings, and with velocity ac- quired with surprising quickness are almost instantly far beyond reach of the bob-cat's spring or even the shot-gun's charge. To recapitulate, the Band-tailed Pigeon is extraordinarily immune from na-