23 
 
 
the squabs were more advanced than subsequent information shows, 
or that they were collected at a less mature stage than usual. There 
is excellent agreement as to the flight of the young pigeons. The Sparta

Eagle of May 12 states that the young pigeons will be out in about a 
week, i. e. May 19. The Kilbourn Mirror of May 19 states that the 
squabs are beginning to fly and that the sport is about over. On the 
26th it is stated that the pigeons have left for Minnesota. 
    Attention was called previously to the isolated nestings at Bloomer,

Durand and Prescott. They were very small in comparison with the 
main roost, and I am of the opinion that these were second attempts 
at nesting due to failure of tlie first. The pigeon front at Kilbourn, 
and probably at many other places, had been driven back five miles by 
persecution and slaughter, with the likelihood that the harrassed birds 
went elsewhere. 
    Nine Mile Island is only a short distance above Durand. The roost 
is first mentioned on May 2 at which time it probably began forming. 
On June 8, approximately two weeks after the main roost dissolved, 
there appears this laconic item: "7,000,000 squabs to be had on Nine

Mile Island." They were ready for the harvest. 
    The roost at Bloomer is not mentioned until June 3. A visitor 
to the roost on June 8 found "millions" of pigeons present. Since

an occasional squab could be seen peeping over the edge of the nest,. 
it appears that the squabs were nearly ready to fly and that this roost 
was in about the same state of development as that at Durand. 
    The nesting at Prescott "broke" later. Pigeons did not excite

comment from their numbers until May io. On June 21 it is stated: 
"The pigeon roost on the island below the city is deserted--except by

a few of the latest squabs." 
    The earliest possible date that can be assigned to the departure 
of the old birds from the main roost is May 15. Allowing I day to 
get to Prescott, 3 days for building the nest and laying the egg, 14 days

for incubation, 15 days for feeding the squab, and 3 days for the 
young to fly, would require 36 days. This means that if the pigeons 
had filled the crops of the squabs in the big nesting for the last time 
on May 15. had proceeded at once to Prescott and reared a seconds