Judging from the number of pigeons inhabiting the city these days, one must assume that either they have very long life spans or they have enormously large numbers of offspring. Yet, although we see our share of baby robins, baby ducks, baby bunnies, and other infant animals, one seldom sees a baby pigeon. Do they emerge full grown from their eggs? Are the squabs simply well hidden, or are they guarded by the parent birds until they are grown, thus assuring a high survival rate? In short, where are all the baby pigeons? --Birdwatching Commuter, Evanston, Illinois

Dear Cecil:

I found two baby pigeons! They are huge, and look just like their mother. The reason you've never seen any is that they stay in the nest until they are old enough to drink, drive, vote, etc. The nest is right outside my office window on a ledge at Arizona State University's Memorial Union. Little does the mother know I could just open the window and snatch the little creatures! Do you want them? --Laura M., Tempe, Arizona

THE TEEMING MILLIONS PROPOSE AN ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS

Dear Cecil:

Re your recent comment on baby pigeons: don't be fooled by false sightings from gullible bird lovers. The blunt truth is this: the pigeons you see all over the city are the baby pigeons. The adult has a wingspan of 8-12 feet. When they reach adulthood they fly to remote mountain fastnesses and live off the occasional tourist. I do not, however, subscribe to the theory that the adults will one day return en masse to wreak vengeance on us a la The Birds. --Bob W., Melrose Park, Illinois