Gone but not forgotten! Higher-than-expected auction price for Passenger Pigeon sculpture

 

                                       

This sculpture of a Passenger Pigeon, an American species which is said to have gone from 2,000 million birds to extinction in little more than a couple of decades, sold for more than expected at an auction conducted earlier this month. Bids of up to £500 were expected, but the price had reached £550 by the time the hammer fell. Standing 39cm high, it was one of 12 such works created by sculptor Chris Manley (who died two years ago).