The Nation: Reno Gets the Bird

The late humorist Robert Benchley hated pigeons and once declared war on them. But he warned darkly: "I have a horrible feeling that the pigeons are going to win." Now the fight has been taken up by the city fathers of Reno, who discovered a problem with pigeons—the flying variety, not the birds at the gambling tables. Across the main street arches a neon sign that proclaims Reno to be THE BIGGEST LITTLE CITY IN THE WORLD. Trouble is, pigeons love the sign, and after they had deposited close to a ton of droppings on it, the methane gas created by...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!