THE SILENT SKY

There are two important differences between the books of Allan Eckert and those of Robert Murphy (The Peregrine Falcom, 1963; The Golden Eagle., 1965 p. 449). Although both men share the same fiercely persuasive dedication to the conservation of Wildlife and use the same case history technique for their novels, Eckert writes a better brand of prose which is invested with the tragedy of already extinct birds (see also his The Great Auk., 1963 p. 818). This book is about the death of the passenger pigeon; billions were slaughtered here last century. The story focuses on a few select birds, then takes you on an instinctual Jet ride where you turn on a feather, dip and rise, and experience the mass magnetism of the migration flight. You are born in Michigan, fed curds by your mother, acorns by your father, and then deserted. You find a much smarter bird than yourself and imitate him, stick close to him through thrilling migrations to Ontario, New York and Florida. When he is killed by a swamp rattler, you become an adult. Meanwhile, your worst enemy is man, with his clubs and scatterguns...until finally you are the last wild passenger pigeon on earth.