**************************** * The Passenger Pigeon FAQ * **************************** Created and maintained by David Staley: dragonraid@yahoo.com Version 4.50 "The multitudes of Wild Pigeons in our woods are astonishing. Indeed, after having viewed them so often, and under so many circumstances, I even now feel inclined to pause, and assure myself that what I am going to relate is fact." ~ Audubon ======================================================================= Contents: 0. Is there a disclaimer? 1. What is a Passenger Pigeon? 1.1 Other names for the Passenger Pigeon 2. What are the characteristics of the Passenger Pigeon? 2.1 Physical Characteristics 2.1.1 Size and coloring 2.1.2 Differences with male and female 2.1.3 Vocalization 2.2 Nesting and breeding habits 2.2.1 Squab rearing 2.3 Feeding habits 2.3.1 Foods 2.3.2 Water 2.4 Flight and walking 2.5 Waste 3. What are the details about Passenger Pigeon migration and flocks? 3.1 Migration patterns 3.2 Flock formations 3.3 Notable years and locations 3.3.1 Alexander Wilson 1810 3.3.2 James John Audubon 1813 3.3.3 Wisconsin 1871 3.3.4 Michigan 1878 4. When did the Passenger Pigeon become extinct? 4.1 In the wild 4.2 In captivity 5. How did the Passenger Pigeon become extinct? 5.1 Hunting 5.1.1 Methods of hunting 5.1.2 Reasons for hunting 5.1.3 Passenger Pigeon recipes 5.2 Legislation against Pigeon Hunting 6. What were the stages and effects of Passenger Pigeon depopulation? 7. Can I see a real Passenger Pigeon today? 7.1 Public displays 7.2 Private collections 7.3 Feathers and relics 7.4 In the wild 8. What are some books on Passenger Pigeons? 8.1 The book of books 8.2 Nonfiction 8.3 Fiction 8.4 Juvenile literature about the Passenger Pigeon 8.5 Books and articles with Passenger Pigeon segments 8.6 Poetry about the Passenger Pigeon 9. Is there any audio-visual media with Passenger Pigeon content? 9.1 Music and song 9.2 Video and DVD 10. What are some Webpages on Passenger Pigeons? 11. Where can I buy Passenger Pigeon stuff? 12. Are there any Passenger Pigeon Societies or Organizations? 13. What does it all mean? 14. How can I contribute to this FAQ? 15. What is the history of this FAQ? 16. What are future considerations for this FAQ? ======================================================================= -------------------------- [0] Is there a disclaimer? -------------------------- Yes! However, let me state from the start that this FAQ in an unofficial document. That is, it is not, at the present time, endorsed nor sponsored by any organization or persons but is the sole property of David Staley. By sharing this document with the general public I, David Staley, am providing a service for edification only. I have done research to create this FAQ, but I am but an amateur Passenger Pigeon enthusiast, and do not lay any claim to be an expert in the topic of or surrounding the Passenger Pigeon or Ornithology. I do plan on continuing my study of the Passenger Pigeon and perchance, over time, this FAQ will evolve with my knowledge and the contributions of others. [13] Also, this document is not meant to be taken in a heady manner. Yet it is not to be taken too lightly. There is a balance of sober reality and love for nature and life that I wish to achieve with this FAQ. While this FAQ is meant to be an introduction to the Passenger Pigeon, I hope that those with prior knowledge of this bird will benefit from this project as well. It is my intention that this FAQ will serve not only to inform but to edify as well. Finally, to reduce the redundancy of the name 'Passenger Pigeon' within this FAQ, periodically terms such as 'the Pigeon', 'the bird', the names given in [1.1], and even 'PP' will be used in place of the full name of Passenger Pigeon. God bless, David Staley dragonraid@yahoo.com ======================================================================= ------------------------------- [1] What is a Passenger Pigeon? ------------------------------- The Passenger Pigeon was a bird that was indigenous in North America up until the beginning of the twentieth century. It is now extinct. It is considered to have been the most populous bird in the history of the world. The population at its high-water mark has been estimated to have been around 12 Billion in number, although more conservative estimates place the figure around 5-6 Billion. Still, lots of Wild Pigeons! The first recorded report of the Pigeon was made by the French explorer Jacques Cartier while on Prince Edward Island on July 1, 1534. [1.1] Other names for the Passenger Pigeon ------------------------------------------------ The earliest common names for the Passenger Pigeon were simply "Pigeon" or the "Wild Pigeon". Due to its grace and speed in flight and coloring it also had the nickname of "blue meteor". There is also the most recent scientific name for the bird which is Ectopistes migratorius, which basically means "migratory wanderer". Mark Catesby [8.4] called the pigeon, "Pigeon of Passage". Certainly this is the source which Thomas Pennant, in 1875, used when he named the bird the "Passenger Pigeon". This is a good thing to keep in mind when looking for Passenger Pigeon references in printed material that date prior to 1875. These are the commonly known and used names. However, there have been other names that the Passenger Pigeons have been called. Even the scientific names evolved over time. All these name variances are too numerous to mention all in full. I would refer those interested to Schorger's book [8.1], Chapter 12. I will mention that the Native Americans had names for the Passenger Pigeon. For instance, the Narragansettes realized the nature of these birds and even gave them the name "wuskowhan", which means 'wanderer'. ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------- [2] What were the characteristics of the Passenger Pigeon? ----------------------------------------------------------------- There is always more information that is desired for a species that is extinct, but there is enough data to 'reconstruct' much understanding of the bird's life in the wild. Also, since the PP was kept in captivity for some time, much reliable information has been gathered about the bird. And of course, specimens now give us the ability to see the bird, albeit dead, up close even today. [2.1] Physical Characteristics ------------------------------- The Passenger Pigeon is a beautiful creation. If you have not seen a color picture of one seek one out. Many photographs are black and white and just don't do the bird full justice. Unfortunately, the only color pictures are of specimens, but you still get the full color of the real bird in these pictures. Even though there are great color prints, like that of Audubon, There is nothing that is the same as seeing the real bird in person. [7] [2.1.1] Size and coloring -------------------------- The average lengths were between 15 and 17 inches with a wingspan of about 8 1/4 inches. They were about 8 1/4 inches tall and weighed an average of 12 ounces. The Pigeon had a small head and prominent thin neck which was described by Thoreau as being "inquisitive". It also had a broad breast and a long pointed tail which was as long as its pointed wings. The coloring of the Passenger Pigeon was typically slate-blue on the head and grayish blue on its back. The throat, foreneck, and breast were somewhat of a chestnut color fading to a whitish color toward the tail. The hindneck had an iridescent array of bronze, green and purple tinge. [2.1.2] Differences with male and female ---------------------------------------------- As in most birds, the female is not as "flashy" as the male. In the pictures that I have observed it appears that the female is more slender or at least sleek looking, and seems to give her more of an air of elegance about her. This may be due to the fact that she is more petite than the male bird too? Her coloring is less iridescent on the hindneck than the male and her underside is more grayish than white. [2.1.3] Vocalization --------------------- What did the Passenger Pigeon sound like? When I hear the smooth cooing of a Morning Dove I wonder if what I am hearing is a distant sampling of the sounds of the Wild Pigeon? In some respects it is, but the Passenger Pigeon was definitely a world apart in its vocalizations. Perhaps one reason the bird received the name of Wild Pigeon by some was due to its shrieks, chattering, and clucking? Not as quaint as the mournful coos one would think to hear from a pigeon. Many references to the sound common to the Passenger Pigeon was that of the "Keck". This is further described by Schorger as being something like a "monosyllabic kee-kee-kee-kee diminishing in power from first to last." Short coos were however made during breeding season. [2.2] Nesting and breeding habits ---------------------------------- The Passenger Pigeon had great colonial nestings, varying in size from many millions to 20 or less. The area covered by these colonial nestings were more than 40 miles in length. The average nesting area though was around 31 square miles or about 10 miles in length and 3 miles in width. They also commonly nested as single pairs or in groups of only a dozen pairs. However, success in the smaller nestings were not as successful as the colonial sized ones. There are some good observations recorded which give some picture of the courtship of the Passenger Pigeons. Following copulation soft, toneless clucks were made. The female would also strike the male two or three times. This act was peculiar to the Passenger Pigeon. There was some "rushing" towards one another by both the male and the female, an act which frightened other species of pigeons, thus making it difficult to crossbreed with great success in captivity. About three days after courtship the nest was built of loosely constructed twigs. The nests were saucer-shaped and about 6-7 inches in diameter and about 2 1/2 inches thick. The male brought all the nesting material. It took on average about 3 days to build the nest and lay the eggs. It should be mentioned that during the selection of the nesting sight the pair would be involved in much caressing and cooing. One or two eggs were laid in the nest. The last large nesting of the Passenger Pigeon took place in 1878, in Petosky, Michigan. [3.4] [2.2.1] Squab rearing ---------------------- Upon laying the eggs, incubation took 13 days and then the dependent feeding of the squabs took about 14 days. Both sexes produced milk to feed the young. The young Pigeons fed on this milk for about six days. Parent birds primarily fed their own young, but in cases where the young died or didn't finish the supply of milk the parent birds would feed other young Pigeons. The young Passenger Pigeons matured very quickly. Between 2-4 weeks was all it took before the young left the nests. [2.3] Feeding habits --------------------- Due to the energy expended because of the length of the migration flights and the swiftness at which the birds flew, the Passenger Pigeon had a great appetite. Considering too the large numbers of birds in the flocks, the daily consumption figures are almost unbelievable. Based upon Audubon's description of the mass consumption, James Wilson wrote, "We wonder after this, that any farmer should ever dare to migrate to America." During feeding too the Pigeons would constantly "twitter and squeak" while they ate. Of course, due to the numbers in the flocks this sound could be heard for nearly a half mile away and sounded something like the voices of little girls. One peculiar trait of the Passenger Pigeon was that upon finding a source of food more to its liking both young and old would throw up the food that they had previously eaten. [2.3.1] Foods -------------- The birds had a varied diet. In the Fall, Winter, and Spring they ate mostly acorns, chestnuts and beechnuts. During the Summer months they would eat soft fruits and occasionally plants and seeds. Less than 10% of the Pigeon diet was insects and worms. [2.3.2] Water -------------- While drinking water, the PP would immerse its head in up to its eyes. It remained in this manner until it was finished drinking. Occasionally, when a small pond or adequate shoreline could not be found the pigeon would land on the surface of the water with its wings spread halfway out, get its drink and then lift off with one stroke of its wings. [2.4] Flight and walking ------------------------- The Passenger Pigeon was a fast bird. It flew at approximately 60 MPH. It's flight was silent and was executed by very fast rapid flaps of its wings rather close to its body. When alighting in a tree, the Pigeon would first dip, then rise before landing upon a branch. Similarly, when the bird would leave the branch it would take a downward plunge before rising to flight. The massive flying flocks have been said to have sounded like distant thunder. Alexander Wilson [3.3.1] noted that the dense flocks of Passenger Pigeons flapping their wings during flight was so great that it terrified his horses and made it difficult to hear another person speak. When the Pigeon would walk on the ground it would be with an awkward, but cautious step. They had short legs and were not extremely agile on the ground. [2.5] Waste ------------ Naturally, with flocks the size that they were, Passenger Pigeon waste would be a force to reckon with. A.W. Schorger states that the Pigeon's "dung fell like hail". One can only imagine. The odor must have been horrid as well, especially after a short rain on a warm day. At their roosts, Alexander Wilson described that their dung "covered to the depth of several inches" on the ground. Some reports bring depths of dung up to a foot thick, and in instances where roosts were made in the same spot in consecutive years the depth would reach up to three feet thick in certain spots. Indeed the effects of the Pigeons upon an area would leave its marked effect for several years, killing trees and plants where the massive amounts of dung had collected. Some made use of this large resource. Some collected dung to make saltpeter, yet others were adventurous enough to use the waste of the Passenger Pigeon as an ingredient for medicinal purposes. ======================================================================= ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- [3] What are the details about Passenger Pigeon migration and flocks? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Migration and particularly the size of the Passenger Pigeon flocks are one of the more popular and well known subjects concerning the Passenger Pigeon. It is where the statistics get staggering. They make the Passenger Pigeon, to those of us who will never have the chance to see the spectacle of their enormous flocks, a bit of a mythical legend although the facts and figures of their flocks are true. [3.1] Migration patterns ------------------------- The Passenger Pigeon usually migrated northward near the sign of the first thaw or as the winter weather lessened in intensity. Weather heavily influenced the Spring migration of the Passenger Pigeon. However, if the weather was not that good as the flock continued northward, the flock would go into a reverse migration back toward the south. Fall migration in the North started around the end of August. It peaked around the first couple weeks of September and usually ended at the end of that month. As the winter climate began to become intolerable, the flocks would head toward the southern states. There are also some claims that the Passenger Pigeon held to no seasonal migration patterns but was strictly controlled by the abundance and lack of food. While food, as weather, influenced the migration patterns of the Pigeon, I personally find more evidence leaning to seasonal migration habits being the dominant reasons for migration while the bird was in abundance. [3.2] Flock formations ----------------------- There is conflicting evidence on the formations of the flocks. Verbal and pictorial examples show both scenes of "V" formations as well as long columns of birds. It appears that the PP used both of these techniques. As a side note, one morning as I was driving to work I noticed a flock of Canadian Geese that were flying in a straight column, although I mostly see them flying in a "V" formation or at least in a staggered 'half' "V". This leads me to personally believe that both methods (column and "V") were used by the Passenger Pigeon. [3.3] Notable years and locations ---------------------------------- In Colonial times, Catesby [8.5] noted that in Virginia he witnessed a continual flock that progressed for three successive days. This is a strong parallel to Audubon's account [3.3.2] in 1813. Schorger [8.1] has a very detailed date listing of Passenger Pigeon migration in his book at the end of Chapter 14, pages 269-285. It is too lengthy to list here in full, but it gives State to State and Canadian Province details. However, below is a brief analysis of his research into the 1871 Wisconsin Nesting [3.3.3] as found in Silent Wings [8.2]. [3.3.1] Alexander Wilson 1810 -------------------------------- Pigeonry en masse. Those are the words that come to my mind when I consider Alexander Wilson's account of the flock that he witnessed in 1810. He calculated a massive flock of Passenger Pigeons flying past Frankfort, Kentucky towards the Indiana Territory to be around 2,230,272,000 Pigeons. Yes, that is 2.2 BILLION Pigeons flocking together!!! He further calculated that the length of the train of these birds extended about 240 miles. Also, he estimated that they consumed nearly 17,424,000 bushels of mast per day! An interesting point concerning their nesting in the area was that he noticed that there were upwards of 100 nests in some of the trees. He mentioned that one had to be very cautious when walking under these nests due to large falling branches. I'm sure there were other things falling that one would need to be aware of as well. [2.5] [3.3.2] James John Audubon 1813 ---------------------------------- Audubon saw a flock of Passenger Pigeons near the Ohio and Kentucky border in 1813 that he estimated at being around 1,150,136,000 in number. Although this great flock of Pigeonry was nearly 1.1 Billion birds it is interesting to note that it was only 51.6% of the amount seen in the flock that Wilson saw just 3 years earlier. James Audubon also is noted as having one of the most popular eyewitness accounts of PP flock migrations. I don't wish to do his account an injustice by trying to paraphrase it due to its importance and style, so below I am including excerpts from his personal account of his exposure to this awesome sight. These excerpts will also prove useful in the leading into the topic of hunting. [5.1] ==== ==== ==== "In the autumn of 1813, I left my house at Henderson, on the banks of the Ohio, on my way to Louisville. In passing over the Barrens a few miles beyond Hardensburgh, I observed the Pigeons flying from north-east to south-west, in greater numbers than I thought I had ever seen them before, and feeling an inclination to count the flocks that might pass within the reach of my eye in one hour, I dismounted, seated myself on an eminence, and began to mark with my pencil, making a dot for every flock that passed. In a short time finding the task which I had undertaken impracticable, as the birds poured in countless multitudes, I rose, and counting the dots then put down, found that 163 had been made in twenty-one minutes. I traveled on, and still met more the farther I proceeded. The air was literally filled with Pigeons; the light of noon-day was obscured as by an eclipse, the dung fell in spots, not unlike melting flakes of snow; and the continued buzz of wings had a tendency to lull my senses to repose. Whilst waiting for dinner at YOUNG'S inn at the confluence of Salt river with the Ohio, I saw, at my leisure, immense legions still going by, with a front reaching far beyond the Ohio on the west, and the beech-wood forests directly on the east of me. Not a single bird alighted; for not a nut or acorn was that year to be seen in the neighbourhood. They consequently flew so high, that different trials to reach them with a capital rifle proved ineffectual; nor did the reports disturb them in the least. I cannot describe to you the extreme beauty of their aerial evolutions, when a Hawk chanced to press upon the rear of a flock. At once, like a torrent, and with a noise like thunder, they rushed into a compact mass, pressing upon each other towards the centre. In these almost solid masses, they darted forward in undulating and angular lines, descended and swept close over the earth with inconceivable velocity, mounted perpendicularly so as to resemble a vast column, and, when high, were seen wheeling and twisting within their continued lines, which then resembled the coils of a gigantic serpent. Before sunset I reached Louisville, distant from Hardensburgh fifty-five miles. The Pigeons were still passing in undiminished numbers, and continued to do so for three days in succession. The people were all in arms. The banks of the Ohio were crowded with men and boys, incessantly shooting at the pilgrims, which there flew lower as they passed the river. Multitudes were thus destroyed. For a week or more, the population fed on no other flesh than that of Pigeons, and talked of nothing but Pigeons. ==== ==== ==== Many trees two feet in diameter, I observed, were broken off at no great distance from the ground; and the branches of many of the largest and tallest had given way, as if the forest had been swept by a tornado. Every thing proved to me that the number of birds resorting to this part of the forest must be immense beyond conception. As the period of their arrival approached, their foes anxiously prepared to receive them. Some were furnished with iron-pots containing sulphur, others with torches of pine-knots, many with poles, and the rest with guns. The sun was lost to our view, yet not a Pigeon had arrived. Every thing was ready, and all eyes were gazing on the clear sky, which appeared in glimpses amidst the tall trees. Suddenly there burst forth a general cry of "Here they come!" The noise which they made, though yet distant, reminded me of a hard gale at sea, passing through the rigging of a close-reefed vessel. As the birds arrived and passed over me, I felt a current of air that surprised me. Thousands were soon knocked down by the pole-men. The birds continued to pour in. The fires were lighted, and a magnificent, as well as wonderful and almost terrifying, sight presented itself. The Pigeons, arriving by thousands, alighted everywhere, one above another, until solid masses were formed on the branches all round. Here and there the perches gave way under the weight with a crash, and, falling to the ground, destroyed hundreds of the birds beneath, forcing down the dense groups with which every stick was loaded. It was a scene of uproar and confusion. I found it quite useless to speak, or even to shout to those persons who were nearest to me. Even the reports of the guns were seldom heard, and I was made aware of the firing only by seeing the shooters reloading. No one dared venture within the line of devastation. The hogs had been penned up in due time, the picking up of the dead and wounded being left for the next morning's employment. The Pigeons were constantly coming, and it was past midnight before I perceived a decrease in the number of those that arrived. The uproar continued the whole night; and as I was anxious to know to what distance the sound reached, I sent off a man, accustomed to perambulate the forest, who, returning two hours afterwards, informed me he had heard it distinctly when three miles distant from the spot. Towards the approach of day, the noise in some measure subsided: long before objects were distinguishable, the Pigeons began to move off in a direction quite different from that in which they had arrived the evening before, and at sunrise all that were able to fly had disappeared." [3.3.3] Wisconsin 1871 ------------------------- Wisconsin had some very notable flocks that migrated there. In Silent Wings [8.2] Schorger gives a very detailed account of "The Great Wisconsin Nesting of 1871". Of course the migration and flocks go hand in hand with the end result; the nesting. In this account, the locale from which the birds migrated from is noted as being from the Mississippi and Rock River valleys in mid-March, 1871. The flocks congregated over an area of 400 square miles west of the Wisconsin River and an additional 450 square miles to the east of the Wisconsin River. That is 850 square miles of roosting. With the estimate of 250 birds per acre by Schorger the total birds in Wisconsin during 1871 in this nesting colony were 136 Million birds. [3.3.4] Michigan 1878 ------------------------ Petoskey, Michigan in 1878 is commonly cited as being the last large colonial nesting of Passenger Pigeons. This nesting was probably the majority of the remaining Pigeons left in the country. In this large roost there were nearly 1.5 Million birds and covered nearly 100,000 acres. As usual, the slaughter was immense, and estimates of the dead by the end of the nesting nearly equal the estimated total of the roost itself. It has also been recorded that over 80,000 birds were taken alive from the Petoskey nesting. It is worthy to note that the number of this roost, although still immense is significantly small compared to what it was 70 years earlier. Furthermore, with the passage of another decade, no nestings of more than 100 birds existed. ======================================================================= -------------------------------------------------------- [4] When did the Passenger Pigeon become extinct? -------------------------------------------------------- As you can tell by Audubon's testimony [3.3.2] man had set himself up as the great enemy of this bird. The widespread violence and brutality towards this species is hard to comprehend. The old Western philosophy that "if a little is good then more is better" seemed to be applied towards the killing of the Passenger Pigeon. I am assuming that the prevalent thought of the time was that this enormously populous bird could never be greatly diminished and that the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon, despite the killing, was probably beyond belief to many until it was apparent that the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon was eminent. [4.1] In the wild ------------------ In the wild, the Passenger Pigeon met its demise around the turn of the century. It is hard to pinpoint exactly where and when for all of the final reports contain an element of controversy. I am going to use the instance of the final recorded sighting of the bird which occurred in Ohio in 1900 as the last record of the Passenger Pigeon in the wild. On March 24, 1900, on a farm near in South Central Ohio's Pike County, a 14 year old boy named Press Clay Southworth (no kidding) saw a bird eating their corn. He got permission from his mother to use their 12-gauge shotgun to shoot the bird, and when he went outside he found it up in a tree. After the boy had shot and killed the bird he took it to show his Mother. When his mother saw it she knew that it was a Passenger Pigeon. This bird, who is named Buttons, is now on display at the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus, Ohio. Personally, I look at Buttons as the last true Passenger Pigeon in some respects due to it truly being a Wild Pigeon. The last Pigeon of the species didn't die until 14 years later, but she, on the other hand was born, raised, and died in captivity. In this regards I think that "Buttons" deserves a bit more distinction than is normally given to it. [4.2] In captivity ------------------- The death of the very last Passenger Pigeon that died in captivity is also surrounded by an element of controversy. Some of the times and the circumstances differ, the basic fact remains that the last Passenger Pigeon of the entire species died in the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio and was named Martha, after Martha Washington. It is commonly cited that on September 1, 1914 at 1:00pm Martha was found dead at the bottom of her cage. She was born and raised and died in captivity. She was 29 years old when she died. I have seen referenced an interesting point that Martha was not a superstar attraction at the Cincinnati Zoo in the eyes of the public right before her death. In fact, her passing was noted in the press, but with relatively little recognition despite the fact that she was the last of her species. Anyhow, right after she died she was packed in ice and quickly shipped to Washington DC to be housed at her future resting place in the Smithsonian Institution. ======================================================================= ------------------------------------------------------- [5] Why did the Passenger Pigeon become extinct? ------------------------------------------------------- Man. Plain and simple. Man was the cause of the extinction of this bird from the face of the earth. I hate to admit it, but sometimes I do wonder what a Passenger Pigeon tasted like and what it would have been like to sleep on a mattress filled with new Passenger Pigeon feathers, even though I am aware that it was due, in part, to these "markets" that the massive and wasteful killing of these birds occurred. The tales of the killing of the Passenger Pigeon, at times, seems to rival the unbelievable size of their flocks. [5.1] Hunting -------------- In my opinion, I believe that the use of the word "hunting " in regards to the Passenger Pigeon in the days of their large flocks is a very unfavorable word. It seems that very little skill was required to be a good "hunter" of the Passenger Pigeon. In fact, it seems as if even a child could have been successful at hunting the Wild Pigeon. Indeed, this was the instance in case of the killing of the very last Passenger Pigeon that was ever recorded in the wild. [4.1] For a detailed graphic account of the slaughter of these birds, I would direct anybody to read Chapter VIII, (pages 77-92), of Mershon's book. [8.2] [5.1.1] Methods of hunting --------------------------- The methods of "hunting" the Passenger Pigeon were varied. Some were the usual methods of hunting, but other methods were more exotic and were employed due to the nature and makeup of the Passenger Pigeon roosts and flock size. One of the more uncommon methods of killing the Pigeons was by suffocating the birds while they roosted. This was done by burning grass or sulfur under their roosts. Using long sticks to knock them out of trees as they roosted or as their massive flock flew by at low altitude was a cheap method that was also used. The more common methods used to kill the Passenger pigeon were blasting them with shotguns and catching them in large nets. There are many illustrations and engravings which show these two methods being used in the hunting of this bird. Hunters also trapped the Pigeons by using pigeons as decoys. These "decoys" were tied to a perch, called a stool. (this is the origin of the term "stool pigeon") [5.1.2] Reasons for hunting ---------------------------- Flesh of the Pigeons were dark in color, and according to Audubon the meat afforded "tolerable eating". Early Americans developed a taste for the bird which created a market demand for its meat. [5.1.3] This is one of the reasons for the extensive hunting of it. Another significant reason was the use of the Passenger Pigeon feathers for the stuffing of bedding or in the use for decorative purposes. A cruel aspect of hunting the Pigeons was the capture of live Pigeons for use as target practice at a later date. There is one account in Cincinnati, Ohio, at a shooting park, where crates filled with nearly 8,000 living Passenger Pigeons were to be used as targets in a live-bird shooting match. Then, of course, there was the mere thrill of the hunt. Even not being a hunter myself, I can only imagine the exhilarating feeling that one must have felt during a Passenger Pigeon hunt. The maddening chaos would have been an intense sight to behold and be a part of, but I am afraid that personally, the guilt of lending my hand to such excessive slaughter would have far outweighed the benefit of the excitement of the moment. An interesting point from a rather interesting source is found in the 1903 book "Our Feathered Game". [8.5] The following is a quote from it concerning the Passenger Pigeon and I will simply let it speak for itself for what it is worth. It is something to consider in reference to the massive killing of the Passenger Pigeon... "It wasn't done by sportsmen, for no man having the heart of a sportsman could go into a roost of pigeons and strike down the innocent fledgling with a club while its mouth was crying for food, and its mother circled around it trying to win it with piteous cries to take wing and fly with her away from this threatening danger...it was not the sportsman who spread the nets and sewed the eyelids of the stool-pigeons with silken threads, so they would perform to his liking when tolling their kind to destruction. It was not the sportsman who shipped the birds in barrels to the market, or in crates to the shooting-matches." [5.1.3] Passenger Pigeon recipes --------------------------------- This may seem to be a gruesome section for this FAQ, but I think that for the sake of posterity it is important to see just how the pigeons were prepared for consumption by Americans. Thus this section. --- --- --- 1) POTTED PIGEONS Pigeons enough for family 1 cracker per pigeon 1 egg per pigeon Salt pork Piece of suet or butter the size of an egg Sweet marjoram or sage, 1/2 tsp. per bird Flour Note: the "cracker" specified in this recipe is more the size of a Civil War hardtack, not a modern soda cracker. Use 5-6 soda crackers if hardtack is not available. Pigeons may be potted, roasted or stewed. Potting is the best, and the least trouble. After they are thoroughly picked and cleaned, put a small slice of salt pork, and a little ball of stuffing, into the body of every pigeon. The stuffing should be made of one egg to one cracker, an equal quantity of suet, or butter, seasoned with sweet marjoram or sage, if sweet marjoram cannot be procured. Flour the pigeons well, lay them close together in the bottom of the pot, just cover them with water, throw in a bit of butter, and let them stew an hour and a quarter if young, an hour and three quarters if old. Some people turn off [pour out] the liquor [pan juices] just before they are done, and brown the pigeons on the bottom of the pot; but this is very troublesome, as they are apt to break to pieces. ~ From The American Frugal Housewife by Mrs. Child, published 1833. [5.2] Legislation against Pigeon Hunting ---------------------------------------------- There was public opposition and some protest concerning the inhumane slaughter of the Pigeons, and some states did, or attempted to, pass legislation to limit the hunting of the Passenger Pigeon. However, the trend was that this legislation was only pushed after the population of the Pigeons in that state was negligible or nonexistent. In other words, when the hunting of Pigeons was no longer of viable economic substance the "need" for protection for the Pigeons became an issue to pursue. Regardless, the only state to really pass a strict Pigeon hunting law was Wisconsin. However, it was also passed when it was beyond the point of relevance to the Passenger Pigeon. In fact, it was more of a flagrant insult; a testimony to the effects of the stain of greed on the hearts of man. ======================================================================= ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- [6] What were the stages and effects of Passenger Pigeon depopulation? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- A bleak fact from the great Passenger Pigeon gathering in Wisconsin in 1871 [3.3.3] concerning a stage in the bird's depopulation is the estimate of the birds that were killed by hunters during that nesting. The conservative figure for the number of Pigeons killed in the Wisconsin nesting is set at 1.2 Million birds. Although this number is only 1% of the entire flock that was there, it is evident that the mass killing of the Pigeons had a toll over the years. Consider how Wilson's account numbered the flock he witnessed at about 2.2 Billion birds [3.3.1] in 1910. Just 61 years later the massive flocks had dwindled by nearly 94% from their numbers Wilson had seen, and as we know today, another few decades would see the remainder of the population exterminated in the wild. Due to the colonial habits and the reproduction conditions of the Wild Pigeon, it is understandable why towards the end of the 19th century this bird was doomed to certain extinction. Man's attitude certainly contributed to the demise of this species as well. Not only time, but the actual times in which the Wild Pigeon found itself surely helped expedite its depopulation. Progressive reform was not to come into play until the bird was well on the decline, and attempts to legislate action to save this bird were too little, too late. While more research would be interesting in regards to the effect of the loss of the PP on the environment and ecosystem, another important aspect that deserves pondering is the effects that the loss of the PP has had on the North American identity. Personally, the topic of the Passenger Pigeon has been elevated to much more of a wide-ranged philosophic issue than one merely of ornithology or environmental importance. We have a lot to learn from the Passenger Pigeon. What we have done to ourselves by causing its extinction is a point that should not be overlooked. ======================================================================= --------------------------------------------------- [7] Can I see a real Passenger Pigeon today? --------------------------------------------------- Starting in 1957, a five year search was begun by Paul Hahn [8.5] to find out how many Passenger Pigeon specimens could be located that were in collections. A total of 1,532 skins and mounts were located and 16 skeletons. In other words, they are out there to see. If you are unable to locate a Museum near you to view an actual specimen of a Passenger Pigeon, there are many opportunities to view a Passenger Pigeon in both books and online. In Schroger's book [8.1], Chapter 16, there is a large list of illustrations that have been made of the bird as well a partial list of some of the photographs there were available at the time. Online, the premiere sight to view a real specimen is at Garrie Landry's sight. [7.2] If you know of the location of a real passenger pigeon specimen (private or public) please let me know of it and I will be sure to include it in future versions of this FAQ. [13] [7.1] Public displays ---------------------- Chicago Field Museum of Natural History http://www.fmnh.org ~ 1400 South Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60605-2496 Phone: (312) 922-9410 Cleveland Museum of Natural History http://www.cmnh.org ~ 1 Wade Oval Drive, University Circle Cleveland, Ohio 44106-1767 Phone: (800) 317-9155 F.A. Seiberling Naturealm - Visitors Center http://www.neo.lrun.com/MetroParks/parks/naturealm.html ~ 1828 Smith Road Akron, Ohio Phone: (330) 867-5511 Ohio Historical Center http://www.ohiohistory.org ~ 1982 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 Phone: (614) 297-2300 This is but a very partial and limited list. If you know of other public displays of the Passenger Pigeon, please let me know the details of it and it will be included in future versions of this FAQ. [13] [7.2] Private collections -------------------------- Garrie Landry's online sight "History of my Passenger Pigeon" is located at: http://www.ulala.org/P_Pigeon/George.html This single sight is the premiere Passenger Pigeon site on the Internet. I am not just saying that because Garrie is a great gentleman. Honestly, there is not only awesome information and graphics here, including extensive illustrations of prints and also pictures of real specimens, but the history of his personal Passenger Pigeon specimen. You not only are able to view a number of pictures of his specimen, named "George", but also read an exhaustive history of this bird, including Garrie's purchase of the bird on Ebay. George is a beautiful and majestic bird and is a great example of his species. If you are online and are interested in the Passenger Pigeon (which I assume you are if you are reading this FAQ) you must check out Garrie's sight. [7.3] Feathers and relics -------------------------- One would think that due to the massive amounts of feathers used in bedding and as decorative pieces there would be a fairly common supply today. After extensive research I have only had one faithful lead in the location of an available feather. This is an enigmatic area that I would love to see expanded on in future versions of this FAQ. Wood carvings and decoys are also great momentous to the Passenger Pigeon and are highly collectable. Some are rather generic and plain in nature, but some take on an almost life-like presence. This is truly an artform that can enhance the interest in the history and love of this bird. [7.4] In the wild ------------------ Well, not so fast. While man has been at the helm of the incessant killing and slaughter of the Passenger Pigeon, and their numbers are now recorded as zero, one can still hope. It is probably and exercise in futility, but for the idealist and dreamer it helps to keep the vitality of their memory alive. While I know that there is no large flocks of Passenger Pigeons hidden away in the jungles of South America, couldn't there perhaps be a small remnant? Or perhaps with scientific advancement in genetics a Wild Pigeon could be raised from the past to a present reality? OK, perhaps I am an idealist. But I do admit that sometimes when I watch some Morning Dove's bob around and I see some that are much larger than the others, I sometimes wonder if there is some Passenger Pigeon blood flowing through some of their veins. ======================================================================= --------------------------------------------------- [8] What are some books on Passenger Pigeons? --------------------------------------------------- The following books are ones that I have personally seen and read or browsed through, unless otherwise noted. Also, there are many bird books that contain a bit about Passenger Pigeons, but I am only containing ones that have an unusual piece of information, illustration, or that were printed prior to the bird's extinction. [8.1] The book of books ------------------------ Schorger, A.W. The Passenger Pigeon: It's Natural History and Extinction. The University of Wisconsin Press. Madison. 1955. [8.2] Nonfiction ----------------- A Passing in Cincinnati - September 1, 1914. Office of Communications. Department of the Interior. Washington: GPO. September, 1 1976. Bittner, W. Sanford. "Stilled Wings". Echoes. Volume 6. Number 5. Ohio Historical Society. Columbus. May 1967. French, John C. The Passenger Pigeon in Pennsylvania. Altoona Tribune Co. Altoona. 1919. (This full book is online: http://www.rootsweb.com/~srgp/books/1916pig1.htm) Mershon, W.B. The Passenger Pigeon. The Outing Publishing Company. New York. 1907. Mitchell, Margaret H. The Passenger Pigeon in Ontario. The Reuben Wells Leonard Bequest. The Univeristy of Toronto Press. 1935. Schorger, A.W. The Passenger Pigeon: It's Natural History and Extinction. University of Oklahoma Press. Norman. 1973. (Reissue) Scott, Walter E. ed. Silent Wings: A Memorial to the Passenger Pigeon. The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology. Madison. May, 1947. Wisconsin Stories: Passenger Pigeons. "Some Documents Relating to the Passenger Pigeon". State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Madison. 1976. [8.3] Fiction -------------- Eckert, Allan W. The Silent Sky: The Incredible Extinction of the Passenger Pigeon. Little, Brown and Company. Boston. 1965. (This title is currently reprinted at http://www.iuniverse.com for order) Johnson, James Ralph. The Last Passenger. The Macmillan Company. New York. 1956. [8.4] Juvenile literature about the Passenger Pigeon -------------------------------------------------------- Coleman, Graham. The Extinct Species Collection - Passenger Pigeon. Gareth Stevens Publishing. Milwaukee. 1996. Erdrich, Louise. Grandmother's Pigeon. Hyperion Books for Children. New York. 1996. Gordon, Esther S. and Bernard L. Once There Was a Passenger Pigeon. Henry Z. Walck, Inc. New York. 1976. Johnson, James Ralph. The Last Passenger. The Macmillan Company. New York. 1956. Morrison, Susan Dudley. The Passenger Pigeon: Gone Forever Series. Crestwood House. New York. 1989. [8.5] Books and articles with Passenger Pigeon segments ----------------------------------------------------------- Acken. C.S. "How Indians Caught Wild Pigeons (1920)". A Collection of Ethnographical Articles on the California Indians. Ed. Robert F. Heizer. Ballena Press. Ramona, CA. 1976. (note: article originally from Forest and Stream, July 1920) Albrecht Jr., Carl W. "The Peaceable Kingdom: Ohio on the Eve of Settlement." Timeline. Vol. 2. No. 3. Ohio Historical Society. Columbus. June/July 1985. (Page 21) Apgar, Austin C. Birds of the United States: East of the Rocky Mountains. American Book Company. Cincinnati. 1898. (pages 214-216) Cokinos, Christopher. Hope is a Thing with Feathers: A Personal Chronicle of Vanished Birds. Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnum. New York. 2000. (pages 195-278) Edey, Maitland. "Once there were millions, now there are none." LIFE. Vol. 51. No. 25. December 22, 1961. (pages 169-176) Feduccia, Alan ed. Catesby's Birds of Colonial America. The University of North Carolina Press. Chapel Hill. 1985. (pages 60-63) Foster, David R. Thoreau's Country: Journey Through a Transformed Landscape. Harvard University Press. Cambridge. 1999. (pages 167-175) Fuller, Errol. Extinct Birds. Viking/Rainbird. New York/London. 1987 (pages 112-117) Grosvenor, Gilbert and Alexander Wetmore ed. The Book of Birds Volume 1. National Geographic Society. Washington DC 1937. (pages 252-253) Hahn, Paul. Where is that Vanished Bird? An Index to the Known Specimens of the Extinct and near Extinct North American Species. The Governors of The University of Toronto. University of Toronto Press. 1963. (pages 1-3; 64-180) Huntington, Dwight W. Our Feathered Game. Charles Scribner's Sons. New York. June, 1903. (pages 339-345; 386; Plate XXVIII) Perelman, Michael. The Natural Instability of Markets: Expectations, Increasing Returns, and the Collapse of Capitalism. St. Martin's Press. New York. 1999. (pages 53-56) Price, Jennifer. Flight Maps: Adventures with Nature in Modern America. Basic Books. New York. 1999. (pages ix-xxii; 1-55; 257-269) Rice, Paul and Peter Mayle. As Dead as a Dodo. David R. Godine, Publisher. Boston. 1981. (page x) Shufeldt, Dr. R.W. Anatomical and Other Notes on the Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes Migratorius) Lately Living in the Cincinnati Zoological Gardens. The Auk. Vol. 23. No. 1. January, 1915. American Ornithologists' Union. Cambridge, MA. (pages 28-41) Steele, Philip. Extinct Birds: and Those in Danger of Extinction. Franklin Watts. New York. 1991. (pages 16-17) Stoutenburg, Adrien. A Vanishing Thunder: Extinct and Threatened American Birds. The Natural History Press. New York. 1967. (pages 11-39) Sullivan, Sarah L. Indian Trails: A Reprint of Historical Articles. "The Passing of the Wild Pigeon". Cincinnati. 1967. (pages 41-43) [8.6] Poetry about the Passenger Pigeon ---------------------------------------- Brock-Broido, Lucie. "The Last Passenger Pigeon in the Cincinnati Zoo". Walk on the Wild Side: Urban American Poetry Since 1975. Ed. Nicholas Christopher. Charles Scribner's Sons. New York. 1994. (pages 15-16) Jeffers, Robinson. "Passenger Pigeons (1949)". So Glorious a Landscape: Nature and the Environment in American History and Culture. Ed. Chris J. Magoc. Scholarly Resources Inc. Wilmington, DE. 2002. (pages 245-247) Also Online. Last Accessed 11/2/03. Located: http://www.ethanrussell.com/robison.htm Kronen, Steve. "Passenger Pigeons". Emprical Evidence. The University of Georgia Press. Athens, GA. 1992. (page 24) Penha, James. "September 1, 1914 The Last Passenger Pigeon Receives a Guest". Indonesia. Online. Last Accessed 7/10/02. Located: http://www.poetrymagazine.com/archives/1998/october/penha.htm Quinn, Joseph W. "The Passenger Pigeon". Ohio. Online. Last Accessed 11/02/03. Located: http://www.angelfire.com/oh/raraavis/quinn.html Staley, David. "Ode to the Passenger Pigeon". Akros Review. Vol 31. The University of Akron Press. Akron, OH. 2002. (page 94) NOTE: This poem is an updated version of "One And Then Another", listed below. Staley, David. "One And Then Another". Online. Last Accessed 11/2/03. Located: http://www.ulala.org/P_Pigeon/Poem.html Still, James. From the Mountain, From the Valley: New and Collected Poems. "Passenger Pigeons" Ed. Ted Olson. The University Press of Kentucky. Lexington. 2001. (page 51) ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] Is there any audio-visual media with Passenger Pigeon content? ----------------------------------------------------------------------- There are some media resources that contain PP content out there. The ones that I have found so far, especially in video form, are pretty limited in content. Usually only to a passing reference. Most are pretty rare and hard to find. If you know of any media coverage about the Passenger Pigeon please let me know and I will include it here. When I first started this FAQ, there was a link to an animated gif of a Passenger Pigeon that was offered by some graphics company for d/l. However, the link was dead and no attempts to contact the company had any success in getting a response. Same goes for a "3D" photograph of Martha that was apparently on the Smithsonian site for researchers only. No success has been obtained in finding if the photo is still available or not. Any leads to either of these items would be greatly appreciated! [9.1] Music and song --------------------- John Herald - John Herald 1973 Paramount Records PAS 6043 "Martha (Last of the Passenger Pigeons)" ~ Listen to the a demo and read the lyrics: http://www.hvmusic.com/artists/johnherald/martha.shtml Happy Traum - Bright Morning Stars 1980 - Greenhays GR703 "Passenger Pigeon" (written by John Herald) http://theband.hiof.no/albums/bright_morning_stars.html Dahlem Environmental Education Center Camp Songs Cassette Tapes Volume 1 "The Passenger Pigeon Song/Wind Upon the Shoulders" http://www.dahlemcenter.org/Camps/memos.htm [9.2] Video and DVD ------------------ The Life of Birds - by David Attenborough Volume 5, Episode 10: The limits of endurance CBS/Fox Video, 1999. ======================================================================= ------------------------------------------------------ [10] What are some Webpages on Passenger Pigeons? ------------------------------------------------------ There are many great sites out there on the Internet devoted in full, or in part, to the Passenger Pigeon. Of course, there are many, many more than can be listed here. These are ones that I personally find very edifying. Here are the links to some of these sites and a brief description of what they contain. http://www.passengerpigeon.org The Passenger Pigeon Society Homepage ~ This is the official site of the Passenger Pigeon Society. Check this site out and join the Society for free. http://www.ulala.org/P_Pigeon/George.html History of my Passenger Pigeon ~ This site is simply awesome. The information is great, and the story surrounding George is simply fascinating to read and makes this site totally unique. If you only look at one Passenger Pigeon webpage, make this the one...too. http://www.rootsweb.com/~srgp/books/1916pig1.htm The Passenger Pigeon in Pennsylvania ~ This is the full book published in 1919 and written by John French [8.2]. This is a great book, and considering it is extremely rare and expensive, this site is an awesome find! http://members.aol.com/duiven/articles/birdlore//birdlore.htm Birdlore articles on the Passenger Pigeon from 1913 ~ This is a great site with the text and images from a 1913 article on the Passenger Pigeon that originally appeared in Birdlore. This is great stuff! http://community.webtv.net/ectopistes/PassengerPigeon http://community.webtv.net/ectopistes/ThePassengerPigeon http://community.webtv.net/ectopistes/MYPASSENGERPIGEONS ~These are links to a valuable collection of passenger pigeon pictures. A must visit for some unique picture captures by a great artist and longtime contributor to the Extinct Bird discussion list. http://www.geocities.com/dragonraid/birds/pp My personal Passenger Pigeon page. ~ It is the 'official' home of this FAQ and also has lots of links and an original Passenger Pigeon Poem that I wrote. I also have a budding Passenger Pigeon Aviary which houses photographs of Passenger Pigeons who were living at the time they were taken. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/extinctbirds The Extinct Birds Discussion List ~ This discussion list is one that I, David Staley, moderate and it is dedicated to the discussion of all extinct birds, including the Passenger Pigeon. It is open to all who wish to join and discuss any aspect that pertains to the Wild Pigeon or events that surround it. From its life and extinction to more philosophic meandering. http://enquirer.com/editions/2000/03/24/loc_passenger_pigeon.html A The Cincinnati Enquirer Article on Buttons ~ This is an article that appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer that focuses on Buttons, the last wild Passenger Pigeon. http://www.birdnature.com/jan1898/passengerpigeon.html http://www.birdnature.com/jan1898/passengerpigeon1.html http://www.birdnature.com/jul1898/passenger.html Articles from Birds and Nature magazine from 1898 ~ Some articles about the PP that occured before its extinction. Again, good stuff. http://www.valleynewsonline.com/News/2001/0818/Sports/094.html Alas, the passenger pigeon ~ Article from The Sportman's World ~ This is a significant article by Leon Archer about the Passenger Pigeon. http://www.wildbirds.org/apidesay.htm Extinction of the Passenger Pigeon -- The True Story ~Text from a 1917 essay by Edward Howe Forbush. Nice overview of the species and its extinction. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=passenger%2Bpigeon This isn't really a website on Passenger Pigeons in and of itself, but it is a search on the Passenger Pigeon with the best search engine that I have found to find into on the PP. If you are able to copy/paste the above into your address window you will save you some typing. In any case you will be greatly rewarded in your search for PP info. On the site there is also a tab that will able you to conduct a search specifically for PP images too! http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22wild+pigeon%22 This link is basically the same as the Google Search from above, but it is for "Wild Pigeon". It isn't as specific as "Passenger Pigeon", of course, but it will turn up other PP sites that may not otherwise be found with the previous search. http://www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmnh/passpig.htm Some good information about the Passenger Pigeon from the Smithsonian Institution's "Encyclopedia Smithsonian". There is also a good picture of Martha there that is in color. http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/chf/pub/surveyreports/may-jun98/color.html Here is a site that has a couple line drawing pictures of the Passenger Pigeon. One is just the PP, and the other pinpoints the varying colors of the PP. It is a nice little site and could actually be used for kids to color when printed out. http://www.ris.net/~tony/ppigeon.html The Passenger Pigeon ~ A Passenger Pigeon page with basic information and a link to John Herald's song about Martha, the last Passenger Pigeon. http://www.inform.umd.edu/PBIO/darwin/dw04.html 1858 Darwin-Wallace paper on evolution ~ On this page, Wallace expounds a bit on the ready food supply and ability of the great Passenger Pigeon to obtain it. He surmises that due to this the species is destined to survive regardless of the interference of man....interesting piece with the advantage of hindsight. http://www.nancymatson.com/ppiglp.htm Lesson Plan: Passenger Pigeons ~A nice, short lesson plan to teach grade 4-6 children about the Passenger Pigeon. Many of the links are dead, but you could easily substitute other links. http://www.cpawscalgary.org/education/free-resources/saving-our-species.html We’re All Passengers ~Scroll Down and you will see the link to a PDF file that contains a basic lesson for kids about extinction, in particular, that of the Passenger Pigeon. The only problem is that the refer to Martha being in the St. Louis Zoo instead of the Cincinnati Zoo. http://darwin.bio.uci.edu/~sustain/bio65/lec03/b65lec03.htm Extinction and Depletion from Over-Exploitation ~ The title of the page describes its contents pretty well. This is an info page that includes a bit on the Passenger Pigeon among information on other species and commentary. ======================================================================= ------------------------------------------------ 11. Where can I buy Passenger Pigeon stuff? ------------------------------------------------ At the present, I am not aware of any store or website that specifically offers Passenger Pigeon items except perhaps for the common books, and even those are rare. If you can't locate a book to buy on the online sources below (or even if you can) I would strongly recommend you check out your nearby college library or your public library. Some places online to check are: http://www.ebay.com Ebay Auctions ~ Over time, you can pretty much find most anything on Ebay. I have seen many books (including Mershon's 1907 book "The Passenger Pigeon", decoys, and the ever-present 'prints') This is also where Garrie Landry bought his real Passenger Pigeon! [7.2] http://www.amazon.com Amazon ~ Basically Amazon is good for books, and will even do a search for ones that are out of print. http://www.ulala.org/P_Pigeon/For_Sale.html Garrie Landry's For Sale Page ~ Here, you can find some great Passenger Pigeon prints and items that are for sale. ======================================================================= -------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. Are there any Passenger Pigeon Societies or Organizations? -------------------------------------------------------------------- Towards the completion of version 1.00 of this FAQ I was not aware of any special societies dedicated to the Passenger Pigeon. Therefore, I created an email discussion list for the Wild Pigeon. This has since been updated to include all extinct birds. Webpage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/extinctbirds To subscribe to the list please send an email to: extinctbirds-subscribe@yahoogroups.com However, I am very happy to say that in November 2000 I discovered that Garrie Landry [7.2], the owner of "George", began The Passenger Pigeon Society. It is in its "squab" state right now, but is growing. It is free to join, and you can easily find out more by simply visiting the website at: http://www.passengerpigeon.org ======================================================================= -------------------------- 13. What does it all mean? -------------------------- Here is where I could wax eloquently concerning the Passenger Pigeon, but I will try to keep it short. When I think of the Passenger Pigeon, something of the enigmatic nature of this bird draws me. The massive migrations and nestings and all the facts that surround these events. Those are very interesting to me. However, it is a bird. A pigeon at that. At one time a common pigeon, but over time, and by the hands of man, this bird became extinct. I believe that is what really draws me. This and the issues that surrounded the Wild Pigeon's demise. When I casually ask people if they've ever heard about the Passenger Pigeon, most say 'yes'. However, they usually think that I am referring to the Carrier Pigeon or the common bird that is in abundance here in Northern Ohio, the Morning Dove. When I begin my brief testimony on this bird many people are a bit confounded about what to make of it. And they should be. To me, it is rather akin to the United States slavery issue or the forced Westward exodus of Native Americans and the whirlwind of events that surrounded those issues. Indeed, those issues were in heated debate during the heavy hunting of the Passenger Pigeon. I don't think that it is ironic that the Passenger Pigeon's demise occurred around the time of America's expansionistic view or with the great industrialization trends that were taking place in Northern America. I believe that considering the people, their perspectives, and the times leading to the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon, their extinction was like writing on the wall. There are many social and environmental issues that I would like to research more to gain further understanding of the fuller range of the 'why's' surrounding the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon and its effect upon the American identity. I know that it is but a part, but I believe that it is a clear indicator of the bigger picture than one might believe. It is more than the extinction of a species. It is the condition of the human heart, a significant factor in a transitional growth period of the "great Republic experiment" of America, and a sign for modern day man that our actions are not islands unto themselves, but effect the living world around us. I think that the Passenger Pigeon can be elevated into a myth, but I don't dare do that. At least, not entirely. It was real. It had a real impact on life in America only 150 years ago. Time seems to move so fast today, but really, 150 years is not that long ago. We are still carrying baggage from that "by-gone era". Surely, buried down in the closets of our Grandparents or Great Grandparents, or perhaps hidden in an attic with a Confederate or Union button lies a piece of the Passenger Pigeon history. If you look deep enough you will see that this bird isn't so far removed from your life today. Here is a poem that I wrote as an ode to the Passenger Pigeon that will help to put a lot of my feelings and motives for doing this FAQ in perspective. It appeared in the Akros Review in 2002 as "Ode to the Passenger Pigeon" [8.6]. -- -- -- One And Then Another One and then another and then another just the same Then dark and living clouds descend with the thunder of a billion wings A mighty mass of movement The thick and musty stench The unheard of sound surrounding the breaking of the branch "Here they come!"; the cry is heard Then movement on the ground A deadly storm is coming quick with greed and violent sounds With pole or net or gun the targets are the same Though a million are left for dead the loss is seen as gain Then away the clouds arise A billion to their fate Dashed to the ground from different skies to pillow, plate, or crate The living clouds descend Each one marked with a numbered wing Billions are millions are thousands and then; one is left to sing ======================================================================= ------------------------------------- 14. How can I contribute to this FAQ? ------------------------------------- Public participation in this FAQ is encouraged and if you wish to make comments and suggestions or submit items for possible inclusion, just email me, David Staley, at the following address: dragonraid@yahoo.com While I did do much studying in preparation for this FAQ it is by no means unflawed. In fact, I hope that those more knowledgeable than I will be infuriated at the blatant errors I have undoubtedly (yet unintentionally) made and be quick to send me comments, suggestions, and (better yet) sections and updates! When these come through I will be sure to update this FAQ and release subsequent versions to the public when able. I am really interested in trying to obtain any leads or hard data that concerns testimonies from relatives or where-abouts of birds on display or in private collections. Like the Hahn's search begun in 1957 [7], I would like to start to build a database of Passenger Pigeon material that is not already published in books. While I believe that I, alone, can't possibly be the sole source to collecting this data, perhaps it could be a start. Any partial or complete information would be welcome. As far as updates to the FAQ, I would like to ask that when you send in your comments and suggestions you would cite the section number in question. And, if able, please cite your sources when you give data for updates. I am willing to expand and desire to add sections that I haven't thought of so please don't hesitate to let me know what you'd like to see. If you have the time or desire, feel free to write a section too. I will be sure to give you credit if you give me your permission. Thank you! ======================================================================= ------------------------------------ 15. What is the history of this FAQ? ------------------------------------ I am not sure what created the desire in me to find out more about the Passenger Pigeon, but for some reason I was drawn to this enigmatic bird. After doing some casual searching on the Web I found some good information and some nice pictures about the 'Wild Pigeon' that really increased my interest. I then began checking the libraries for books on the Passenger Pigeon and ran into even more diverse and detailed information on the bird. I began to consider compiling the information I was running across into an essay on the bird for my personal use. During some surfing on the Internet I ran across a site on the Dodo bird, which I also find fascinating, and found a FAQ on there that was made by David Reilly. FYI, this site is: http://www.davidreilly.com/dodo. I started to think that perhaps there was a FAQ out on the Internet for the Passenger Pigeon that I could use as a simple reference for my study of this bird. (At the time I was knee-deep in classwork and I didn't have time to read each book that I had acquired) After searching for about a week on a number of sites and search engines I could not locate any FAQ on the Passenger Pigeon. Thus, this FAQ. On October 27, 2000 I began the basic outline of this FAQ, based in part on David Reilly's Dodo FAQ, and based in part on other FAQ's that I had used in the past (including heavy influence from Troels Pleimert's "Official Space Quest FAQ"). The first public presentation of the Passenger Pigeon FAQ was made on 12/06/00. It is now stored at: http://www.geocities.com/dragonraid This is where you will be able to get the most current version of the Passenger Pigeon FAQ under the Passenger Pigeon section. Thus concludes the "history" of this FAQ for version 1.00. Version 1.10 - Done on 12/07/00. Mostly what was done was some major spelling and grammatical corrections throughout the FAQ. Many thanks to my wife, Beth, for her close proofing of this FAQ. I also made a correction in the "high-water" mark population estimates [1] thanks to input by Garrie Landry. Version 2.00 - Done on 01/08/01. Updated the Wild Pigeon email discussion list info to be that of the Extinct Birds email discussion list info. I also moved the section "Books and articles with Passenger Pigeon segments" from [8.4] to [8.5] and created a new section for [8.4] for juvenile PP literature. I believe that it is important to create an interest in young people about this bird and wanted to have a specific section that had resources for those who wished to do just that. Version 2.10 - Done on 01/23/01. Updated some segments that referenced Paul Hahn's search for vanished bird specimens [7 and 8.5] and updated the book sections [8] with new resources. I also made a couple like changes in wording here and there. Today I saw my first Passenger Pigeons in person. Two males and two females. Version 2.20 - Done on 1/26/01. Some updates for the Extinct Birds discussion group since Yahoo took over eGroups. Also, I moved the "official" holding place for the PP FAQ, and have updated that info and done a couple other minor adjustments. I have also added a couple more books. Version 2.21 - Done on 03/08/02. Updated my email address. Also added a couple good website addresses. Version 3.00 - Done on 04/03/02. Updated links, removing dead ones. Added poem, "One And Then Another" to the 'What does it all mean?' section [12]. Added a section on Passenger Pigeon recipes [5.1.3]. Version 3.10 - Done on 04/04/02. Added important resource to section [8.5]. Added section for future considerations for the FAQ [15]. Version 3.11 - Done on 04/05/02. Fixed some minor typos and formatting errors. Version 3.20 - Done on 04/25/02. Added many more resources to section [8] and alphabetized listing. Added section [8.6]. Version 4.00 - Done on 06/26/02. Added some more resources to section [8]. Added a location to secton [7.1], the Ohio Historical Center, where Buttons (the last 'wild' Passenger Pigeon is displayed). Created section [9] Is there any audio-visual media with Passenger Pigeon content? Version 4.10 - Done on 7/11/02. Added the ever-expanding resources section [8]. Went through and updated some known typos. Version 4.50 - Done on 11/2/03. Added a number of good links and expanded some comments and information throughout. ======================================================================= ---------------------------------------------------- 16. What are future considerations for this FAQ? ---------------------------------------------------- There are a couple items that I would like to explore more indepth and include details on in this FAQ. One question that keeps coming to my mind is; Are there accounts of the Passenger Pigeon from Civil War sources? I would like to explore how the PP figured into those involved with the Civil War. Were there flock sightings? Did they rely on the PP as a food resource? Are there diary entries that pertain to the PP or better yet a photograph of a PP in the wild, even in the background of one of the many photos of the Civil War that are available? The ultimate find, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for me, personally, is to one day find and/or get to see a photograph of a Passenger Pigeon in the wild. I know that this is rather idealistic, but I remain hopeful that there is one (probably of very poor quality) out there somewhere. I have heard word that there is a Passenger Pigeon museum in the works as well as a documentary. I don't have any further details, but from what I understand it is a private endeavor. I hope that as it gains momentum the call can go out to current PP enthusiasts for assistance and support of these projects and it will help this dream become a reality. I would also like to expand the listing of PP exhibits too. If you have any information of PP exhibits, please send details following model given in section [7.1], if possible, and they will be included in future editions of the FAQ. On a final note, I would like to say that I have read through Christopher Cokinos' book "Hope is a Thing with Feathers" [8.5]. That book is incredible. I highly recommend it to anybody who wants to learn more about extinct birds. The section on the Passenger Pigeon is one of the best and most unique pieces on the bird that I have ever read! If you want somebody to learn more about the Passenger Pigeon, Cokinos section onthe bird would be an ideal selection. It is easy and personable and if you haven't yet read the book, pick it up. Best yet, you can order a copy directly from the Passenger Pigeon Society at a good price. Plus, "All profits made...from the sales of this book (ordered from the site below) will be directed towards the first printed publication of The Passenger Pigeon Society." Check it out at: http://www.ulala.org/P_Pigeon/Cokinos.html =======================================================================