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Posted by: Anonymous User (---.dalect01.va.comcast.net)
Date: March 29, 2003 12:47AM
I used to run a photo lab in a swanky historic district near Washington DC and our storefront opened directly onto the street, rather than being in a mall or another building. Well, being surrounded by various restaurants and coffee shops, there were always an abundance of pigeons and there was one in particular we called "the Godpigeon" (after the Animaniacs! Goodfeather's namesake)
He was HUGE...about 3 times the size of normal pigeons and he thought he owned the street. During the warmer months, we would have to open our front door to let in the breezes and let out the chemical smells from the equipment and this stupid pigeon would just march right in and hop up on one of the bottom display shelves and make himself at home. And he did NOT want to be disturbed. Being in an historic district, it was mostly people on foot and they would bring their dogs in with them and the pigeon would even scare them. Barkfest!! He even used to scare the small children who would come in and our efforts to shoo him out would usually result in someone getting pecked or flogged. Our broom bore a lot of battle scars!
I was down there this past weekend and I think he was still there! I haven't worked in that store for 8 years! How long do pigeons live, anyway! If it wasn't him, it had to be his successor!
I've seen pigeons in London happily using the Underground(that's "Subway" for Americans...), hopping into a carriage at one station and then waiting calmy by the door until the train reaches their chosen destination...
I was on the underground when we got held up because of flooding on the lines. I remarked to my companion that the delay was because it took a long time for them to fit the water skis to the carriages. She didn't understand but the woman sitting opposite smiled.