Another day and the pigeon story develops a new wing. Did you know that if you counted pigeons in the census New York would have over nine million residents (One could only imagine if you put rats and mice in there as well)? With such a strong presence in New York City, it was only a matter of time before pigeons would speak up against the City Council's attack on the rats with wings birds. Ok well maybe not the pigeons themselves, since they only make that incessant cooing noise. There are people however who are turning out and spreading their own wings in this new political debate.
From The New York Times:
About a dozen or so of the city’s leading pigeon advocates gathered for an emergency meeting Wednesday night on the second floor of a Starbucks on the Upper East Side to plan a counteroffensive.
The meeting was called by Anna Dove, founder and president of the New York Bird Club, which claims 60 members and is one of the two leading pigeon-rights groups in the city. Ms. Dove legally changed her last name from Kugelmas in honor of her dove Lucy. Also present was Al Streit, director of Pigeon People, a rescue and advocacy group that claims 200 members in its online discussion group. Representatives were also present from New York City Pigeon Rescue Center, Win Animal Rights and other organizations.
“Don’t people realize that this is an extraordinary bird?” asked Mary Beyerbach, a member of the New York Bird Club, who noted the heroics of a homing pigeon named Cher Ami — in French, meaning “dear friend.” Cher Ami was credited with saving 194 American lives in France during World War I, earning him the Croix de Guerre honor.
Now that is one piece of military history that I had forgotten about. Ms. Dove is right, the pigeon is no ordinary bird. That is 194 more American lives saved than George Bush could ever lay claim to (not including those he indirectly sent to their deaths in Iraq). However, the pigeon problem here is not one of whether these birds are patriots, its that they are taking over the city. Sometimes you need to deal with such issues, as you know Serendipity 3 will be when it comes to those cute furry mice.
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