29 February 2012

Trade in Singing Birds at City of New York

Presented verbatim.

The N.Y. Tribune makes the following estimate of the trade in singing birds in the city of New York during the present year:

10,000 canaries (short breed) from $4 to $6 a pair ...
600 canaries (long breed), $8 per pair ...
600 goldfinches, from $1 to $2 each ...
50 blackbirds, from $5 to $15 each ...
25 nightingales, from $10 to $25 ...
500 linnets at $1 ...
100 skylarks, at $3 ...
400 fancy pigeons (imported) averaging $12 a pair ...
12 gold and silver pheasants, $30 per pair ...
$25,000
2,400
700
500
320
500
300
2,400
180

Making over 12,000 European birds imported and sold here for about ...

$32,000

Added to the above there are sold African, South American and other birds, as follows:

500 parrots, average price $7 each ...
200 wedoes or birds of paradise, $6 a pair ...
100 mocking birds, $15 each ...
500 Java sparrows, $1 50 each ...
200 white and red cardinals, $5 a pair ...
50 grobolis, $5 each ...
200 nonpareils, $3 a pair ...
50 fire birds, $3 each ...
$3,500
600
1500
750
500
250
300
150

Making 1,800 American birds, worth ...

$7,500

The trade in canaries is entirely in the hands of five or six Germans. The bird importers depart for Europe about the first of August to make their purchases, returning to New York in the course of two to three months. During their absence they travel through the Hartz Mountains purchasing from the peasants, who raise them as a pastime, their stock of canaries, linnets, finches, blackbirds, thrushes and other songbirds. Males are sold in the mountains for $1 to $ 1 25 each. The importers have recently returned with a portion of their stocks, and it is estimated that 12,000 birds are now in the city for sale.

We have not enumerated in the above tables the Blue-birds, Indigo-birds, Blue Robins, Yellow-birds, Red-winged Blackbirds, Cat-birds, Wood-Robbins, Brown Thrashers and a multitude of other wild birds of which thousands are yearly bought and sold in this city or sent to Europe. It may be safely estimated that $50,000 a year is expended in New York for song birds.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle 15(306): 1. Issued December 27, 1856. Originally issued in the New York Tribune.

27 February 2012

An Exquisite Poem About the Prairie

[From the News.]

The Prairie.

By G.C. Albaugh.
The prairies of our favored land
Are always beautiful or grand.
First, beauteous Spring her hand extends,
And leaving green with azure blends;
She softly throws her emerald vest,
Till every undulation grows
Beneath each wanton breeze that blows.
 
Then summer, warm with light and life,
Enters upon the joyous strife.
Her feet are shod with blush of morn.
That she may all her ways adorn;
Her breath is flowery fragrance rare,
Therewith she loads the prairie air;
She spreads abroad the grassy wave
Horizon's farthest shore to lave.
 
Next, Autumn, other matron fair,
Walks softly forth, with gracious air.
Her garments, sunset's gorgeous hues,
Her jewels made of sparkling dews;
With her own robes she clothes the hills,
With sunny tints the valley fills;
Till all the prairie's vast expanse,
In gold, waves to her happy glance.
 
Last, Winter, with his head all hoar,
And voice more fierce than lion's roar,
Comes, proudly, from his arctic house,
O'er prairie's golden sod to roam.
His eager servants, then, are free
To revel in their wildest glee:
Their song is music, wild and grand,
With which they fill the prairie-land.
 
The lowing herds; the boundless deer;
The mustang, in his wild career;
The buffalo, which like the storm,
Sweeps o'er the plain his mighty form;
The antelope, as light as air;
Huge rabbits, and the timid hare;
The wolf; the dog, (of social fame),
And many more of various name.
 
The goose, the brant, (in dress of snow;)
The crane; the heron; stork, and crow;
The turkey, grave; the prairie-hen;
The partridge, lark, and merry wren;
The loving, gentle, cooing dove;
The owl and hawk, that murder love;
The snipe, the plover, and curlew;
And other, to the wand'rer new.
 
All these the prairie-landscape grace,
While sun and moon their circles trace,
And changing seasons, in their arms,
Bring, each, its own peculiar charms,
So that, while months still onward move,
They may the poet's thought approve;
The prairies of our favored land
Are always beautiful or grand.
February 25, 1854. Texan Mercury 1(23): 1.

Stupefied Wild Pigeon Trapping in Essex County

"In the county of Essex large numbers are annually captured. The value of pigeons taken here yearly is estimated at $20,000. In the town of Boxford it is reckoned that three thousand dozen are taken every season; and in Andover, Methuen, Tewksbury, and other towns in that section, still larger numbers are trapped. Cartis, the well-known hunter and trapper of Boxford, takes about 700 annually, and has been known to capture over 100 dozen in a single day. The general market value is about one dollar per dozen, and hence the estimate that $20,000 are taken in Essex county annually supposes that 20,000 dozen, or nearly 250,000 pigeons are captured per year.

"The pigeons, in this vicinity are attracted to particular parts of the woods by the strewing of grain in open spaces cleared of brushwood for the purpose. In this way they are not only tolled around the spot where traps are to be set and familiarized with the ground, but are well fattened before being taken. They are fed for some time before the spreading of the nets. When a sufficient number have congregated to make it worth while to entrap them, their grain is saturated with whiskey, which steals away their silly brains, as it does silly men's brains, and they become willing stupefied victims of the trapper. The net is set in such a way that by the use of young saplings for drawing-springs, it is made to jump over the dense flock of fuddled pigeons gathered in front of it, and when they attempt to rise they are entangled in the meshes. The pigeons, we are told, when enticed by the grain and whiskey will huddle together in a compact mass, as if for the special convenience and gratification of the trapper. When once caught in the net they thrust their head through the meshes, and the trapper, by a certain pressure upon the neck, kills them one after another, with great rapidity, and with more dexterity of touch than tenderness of feeling. They are then taken out, picked, and packed for the market."

This report is from 1859; and from Essex County, Massachusetts.

Pigeons for a Pittance at New York Market

Two reports from the mid-1700s indicate the vast number of wild pigeons sold at the markets of New York. Both are from April.

The number of Passenger Pigeons sold was simply phenomenal, and the details are for just one market area, with a myriad of markets in other places offering the same bird as a commodity.

"One day last Week, upwards of 75,000 Pidgeons were brought to this Market, insomuch that 50 was sold for one shilling."

This report was issued in 1759.

"Such great Quantities of Pigeons were brought to Market last week, that no less than 60 000 were sold off in one Day."

This report was issued in 1771.

These scattered reports provide a glimpse of the pigeon market, which was certainly more pervasive than is currently known.

24 February 2012

Doves Cooing About Spring in Custer County

These photographs were sent in by correspondents in the playa region of northwest Custer County. The images of a pair of Eurasian Collared-doves convey a vivid sense of the spring season and its birdly excitement.

Thanks to Maxine and Ed Wehling for their contribution to get thoughts turned to warmer times soon to preside this spring; especially considering the wintery blast which occurred on Thursday, the 23rd, with snow and enduring winds.

They also sent along a link to this important story about wind turbines: Wind turbines threaten swans, says bird expert

Oldtime Lore of the Paroquet and Pigeon

These accounts convey details of great interest for the natural history of two iconic species at a time long-ago when they thrived and were prominent in North America's avifauna. There was no thought at the time that they would eventually become extinct!

"Description of the Green River Paroquet, by a person of credibility from the state of Kentucky.

"This bird is about the size of a pigeon, of a green colour except the head, which inclines to yellow; they go in flocks or companies about the plantations, and are remarkable for their docility; when once taken and caressed a few hours, they will have no inclination to leave their captor, but will remain about his house, enjoying his bounty with unparalleled indifference and security; when thus reclaimed, they serve as a decoy, by being perched on a pole or scaffold. While a flock are flying by, they will readily alight as conveniently as possible, and are so attached to each other, that any of the strangers that alight within reach may be taken by the owner of the decoy with difficulty, which in two or three hours becomes as gentle as the other; they are possessed of an uncommon degree of sociability and friendship towards each other; when travelling about the house, if one of them discovers a grain of corn or any other food, it immediately, raises the alarm, and by a chattering peculiar to themselves, invites its fellows to partake; when assembled, the discoverer splits with its beak the corn as with shears; they are remarkably fond of cockle burs; the same friendship takes place on finding a plant or bush or these; they lodge or keep suspending themselves by the beak, from a pin or crevice in the wall of the house, or any convenience which a hollow tree affords, in which a whole flock will assemble, if sufficiently capacious; the females of a flock lay their eggs together in a hollow tree promiscuously, and when thus deposited, the males assume the charge of hatching and supporting them; it frequently happens that there are young in the nest half fledged when others are still in the shell."

This article about the Carolina Parakeet was published in an 1801 edition of a New England newspaper.

"Communications. The Wild Pigeon.

"It is well known that the wild pigeon is a bird of passage, and that it frequents these parts regularly twice every year. In the spring, large flocks come from the south, and disperse amongst the uplands and mountains in the northern parts of this and the neighboring states; whence they hatch and rear their young; and in the autumn, they collect together again, and with their young proceed to the south. They cannot well stand the cold, nor subsist upon the buds of trees as other birds indigenous to these northern climes; and of course are obliged to emigrate to a warmer climate when the weather becomes cold and the ground is covered with snow. Extraordinary, however, as it may seem, it is a fact, that since the first of the present month, large flocks of these birds have appeared amongst us, and have scattered themselves as usual throughout the woods. Great numbers of them have been taken with nets in the upper part of New Jersey, and one of the markets in this city has for several days past been supplied with them. An old farmer who had taken 300 and carried most of them to market, told me that they appeared in general to come from the southwest : that they were very fat, and continued in the woods where he lived, subsisting chiefly upon the frozen acorns, found upon the branches of the oak. He says they are very wild, that he recollects but one instance of the kind happening before during all his life; and that was on a Christmas many years ago, when he also caught a great number of them. A curious question then arises, what could induce these harmless birds, contrary to their nature and custom, to pay us a visit at this inclement season of the year?"

This article about the Passenger Pigeon was published in an 1815 edition of a New York newspaper.

Considering Mid-February Fowl of Missouri River Valley

The number of fowl present at some few places along the Missouri River from near Omaha, Nebraska to near Mound City, Missouri convey a difference in species occurrence./P>

Squaw Creek cannot be surpassed for total number of birds, but Carter Lake also had many waterfowl — as it has all winter — with other species not recorded elsewhere. Lake Manawa has been a habitat of lesser extent.

It needs to be noted that the survey at Squaw Creek NWR denotes waterfowl and eagles, and the occurrence of other species is usually provided by efforts of visiting birders.

Observations occurred on February 19, 21 and 22, based upon a personal visit to the Carter Lake environs, with Bellevue birders going to Lake Manawa (thanks to their contribution posted on NEBirds), and from the tally given at the Squaw Creek NWR web-site. The number of species recorded were:

  • Carter Lake District: 24; which includes Levi Carter Park and associated localities
  • Lake Manawa: 10, with a focus on the littoral setting not the park-scape
  • Squaw Creek NWR: 19

Overall there were the following 34 species recorded.

Common Name

Carter Lake District

Lake Manawa

Squaw Creek NWR

Greater White-fronted Goose

-

2

9389

Snow Goose

-

-

1025002

Cackling Goose

4

2

-

Canada Goose

241

160

100

Trumpeter Swan

-

-

155

Gadwall

133

-

42

American Wigeon

3

-

-

Mallard

167

0

14414

Northern Shoveler

232

-

876

Northern Pintail

-

-

385

Green-winged Teal

-

30

216

Canvasback

54

-

30

Redhead

96

4

11

Ring-necked Duck

152

-

1007

Lesser Scaup

-

-

15

Bufflehead

-

-

2

Common Goldeneye

142

3

161

Hooded Merganser

-

-

28

Common Merganser

-

-

157

Ruddy Duck

2

-

32

Pied-billed Grebe

2

-

-

Bald Eagle

1

2

58

Red-tailed Hawk

1

-

-

American Kestrel

1

-

-

American Coot

310

-

-

Killdeer

2

-

-

Ring-billed Gull

6

10

-

Herring Gull

-

1

-

American Crow

1

-

-

Black-capped Chickadee

2

-

-

American Robin

1

-

-

European Starling

1

-

-

Northern Cardinal

1

-

-

House Sparrow

3

-

-

The habitats of the Fish and Wildlife Service refuge at Squaw Creek obviously provide a superb setting for swans and geese. There is nowhere else in the valley where the number of Trumpeter Swans, Snow Goose and Mallards could occur.

With spring encroaching on the central plains, the refuge also had a fine number of arriving Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal and Ring-necked Duck.

Carter Lake had the largest number of two diving ducks, the Canvasback and Redhead. This situation has been prevalent for many weeks this winter.

The federal marshlands and Carter Lake had a somewhat similar number of the Common Goldeneye.

Just a couple or three Pied-billed Grebe have also continued to occur at the Carter Lake waters. This is a phenomenal occurrence as they have been present since last autumn, despite frigid winter conditions and a limited extent of ice-free water.

Carter Lake continues to be the place to see the greatest number of American Coot. Their extent has been pervasive for weeks and months, and whereas they were have not been seen elsewhere, they continued their presence at the oxbow lake of the Missouri River.

The removal of rough fish has certainly made a difference in the use of this place by a myriad of waterfowl.

The waters of Lake Manawa were still mostly lacking in birdlife, but once winter breaks and fowl of the valley arrive, there will be an increased number and diversity of species. This riverine setting has attracted a greater diversity of species than the lake by the City of Carter Lake.

Pigeons Abundant and Brought to Boston Market

One of the earliest known accounts of the vast historic flights of the Passenger Pigeon was published in the Boston News-Letter newspaper in August 1732. The few lines of text are given here, with the archaic use of a f for s changed to conform with current typography and to make it easier to read:

"We hear from several of the neighbouring Towns, that on Monday last vast Flights of Pidgeons came over, and they were caught in abundance; and on Tuesday they were brought to Town in such Plenty, that they fell from 12 d. to 4 d. per Dozen."

The Monday previous was August 4th, based upon a review of an online historic calendar created by an Australian, which readily presents the details of a millennium, finely presented.

Boston is in Suffolk County, Massachusetts according to online details, so this report indicates the occurrence of the Passenger Pigeon in the geographic location.

This record with its exquisite — though sparse details — dates to 280 years ago, as published within days of when the wild pigeons had been observed, with the sublime detail of how the local game market prices responded due to a glut of pigeons.

It was in 1732 and in a locally issued newspaper! This is a profound and essential indication of the importance of newspapers when considering the history of ornithology in northern America. Information available in the papers cannot be ignored.

Nothing was reported on how the birds responded to their being taking among the city woods and parks.

It will require further research to determine the monetary value for a "d." as it was given without explanation in the article. It was apparently the norm at the time when the article was published.

The details of this event were also conveyed to additional readers, as other newspapers published the basics of this report on their issued pages.

22 February 2012

Great Future Possible for LaPlatte Bottoms

Activities underway on several fronts provide key elements for the long-term conservation of bird habitat at the La Platte bottoms. Public details are sparse, but involve the Army Corps of Engineers, Back-to-the River, Papio-Missouri NRD and the Metropolitan Utilities District.

The property under consideration is currently owned by PCS and the Metropolitan Utilities District.

1) the Army Corps of Engineers is moving along in their series of steps which could lead to their purchase of 399 acres from PCS. They are currently undergoing a site appraisal. according to agency staff.

2) Back to the River has contracted with the Big Muddy Workshop to prepare a concept plan for the area around the confluence of the Missouri and Platte Rivers.

This effort has apparently included a presentation during the past two weeks to the Sarpy County Board and Bellevue City Council.

The confluence area includes additional tracts already under public ownership, including the Oreapolis mitigation site, Schilling WMA and the St. Marys Island tract on the Iowa side of the river as developed by the Corps and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Another pertinent piece is Iske Place, a flooded out development adjacent to the Missouri River channel, where rebuilding will not be allowed following its decimation due to the flood of 2011.

This plan should be available in two-three months, according to a spokesman.

3) the Papio-Missouri NRD continues their interest in evaluating a levee realignment that would move the current riverside levee further "inland" to move portions of the bottoms to the river-side of the levee.

"There has never been a better chance to do this," said a spokesman for the NRD, and we "are doing everything we can to have it move forward."

4) A resolution of the "brownfield" study associated with the PCS is imminent, according to a NRD spokesman. The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has been evaluating a contaminant plume. It appears that a letter of no further action could be prepared, which apparently would require that there be no disturbance to the site landfill, nor that any groundwater wells be placed.

5) the Metropolitan Utilities District is moving ahead with efforts to construct a pipeline from their Platte South facility to the Missouri River, to avoid any discharge into the Platte River. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has required this diversion to avoid any potential impacts to water quality in the Platte River, which might influence the closely considered Pallid Sturgeon.

The discharge from this pipeline would be intermittent, and not include any hazardous items, according to a MUD spokesman. The pipeline would cost from $1-2 million.

The pipeline would be routed along LaPlatte Road and then on the south side of the Highway 34 alignment currently under construction.

Potential Future

Each of these pieces can be combined in a common effort to conserve the remaining lowland at the LaPlatte Bottoms.

It's already a great place for birds — at least in the last couple of years when water was present to one extent or another — and can become a permanent conservation haven for wild things where visitors can get some glimpse of the natural character for which the Platte confluence has been recognized for more than two centuries.

Consider that the Corps of Engineers would buy the PCS property as a Missouri River mitigation property. MUD could shorten the length of their pipeline, and rather than going into the Missouri River, it would end in a water quality wetland, that would also create an intermittent wetland. This would reduce their construction cost while adding a habitat conservation aspect to their mandated project. The NRD would then have ready access to realign the levee, increasing the riverside lowland.

Intermittent water from the pipeline might flow into a water quality wetland basin, creating shallow water habitat. Perhaps something similar to the nearby Mid-America Energy Power Plant ponds, south of Council Bluffs.

Intermittent and shallow water habitats are very much lacking in this region of the Missouri River.

Might the setting attract some breeding Least Tern and Piping Plover? Both are birds entirely in need of conservation activities in this riverine region, according to government findings. Other shorebirds could also take advantage of shallow water conditions.

Offutt Airbase military officials might be satisfied, as there would be no new hazards to their aircraft since the wetland extent would be limited and woud actually attract fewer birds than a permanent marsh. Water conditions would continue to be ephemeral, as they are currently.

Cooperative Effort

Based upon the discussions regarding this locale, there was an obvious opportunity for further cooperative discussions. One land owner was not aware of activities occurring next to their property.

It is essential that rather than looking at the effort as one piece of a pie, that there be an effort to get all the pieces together so all of the interested parties are on the same page.

During conversations on this topic, the value of a broad perspective was conveyed, and especially that those involved with the LaPlatte Bottoms meet to discuss how they can cooperate to conserve the place.

There is a great future which could obviously occur with a common vision and focus to moving ahead.

Great Omaha Parks Bird Count Weekend

A national effort to survey late-winter birds was underway last weekend, so it was deemed appropriate to go outdoors to denote what was about at some Omaha park spaces.

Surveys of one sort or another were done Friday-Sunday, February 17-19, using a variety of transportation. The look-about around Carter Lake was done via bicycle. Hummel and N.P. Dodge parks, along with Memorial and Elmwood parks were done afoot. A drive-by at Miller Park with its many geese, many a similar cruise at Fontenelle Park to ensure that a count of the waterfowl would be distinct. A few more birds would have been seen -- perhaps -- if the effort involved walking.

A special thanks to the Omaha Parks and Recreation Department for providing written permission to visit N.P. Dodge Park, which is still closed to the public due to the flood of 2011.

A big appreciation is given to Jim and Sandy Kovanda for their rainy day outing at Spring Lake Park, which they visited again to appreciate the birdlife at this urban woodland facing dramatic changes. They especially enjoyed seeing a wild fox! They have visited this park many times to observe the birds.

Findings are presented according to park district, as one particular locality does not conform with the observations made. Using this methodology also allows a greater precision in determining where a bird actually occurred, when a database record is evaluated later.

Common Name

Hummel District

Dodge Park District

Carter Lake District

Miller District

Fontenelle District

Memorial District

Elmwood District

Spring Lake District

Greater White-fronted Goose

-

-

-

-

-

-

50

-

Cackling Goose

-

-

-

-

-

-

3

-

Canada Goose

-

7

1003

356

317

-

65

-

Gadwall

-

-

32

-

-

-

-

-

American Wigeon

-

-

7

-

-

-

-

-

Mallard

-

-

346

-

-

1

4

-

Northern Shoveler

-

-

218

-

-

-

-

-

Canvasback

-

-

52

-

-

-

-

-

Redhead

-

-

76

-

-

-

-

-

Ring-necked Duck

-

-

82

-

-

-

-

-

Lesser Scaup

-

-

6

-

-

-

-

-

Common Goldeneye

-

1

73

-

-

-

-

-

Hooded Merganser

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

Common Merganser

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ruddy Duck

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

Wild Turkey

-

12

-

-

-

-

-

-

Pied-billed Grebe

-

-

3

-

-

-

-

-

Bald Eagle

-

7

-

-

-

-

-

-

Red-tailed Hawk

-

-

3

-

-

-

1

-

American Kestrel

1

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

American Coot

-

-

315

-

-

-

-

-

Rock Pigeon

-

-

-

-

6

2

-

-

Mourning Dove

-

-

-

-

-

-

3

-

Barred Owl

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Belted Kingfisher

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

Red-bellied Woodpecker

2

2

-

-

-

-

3

-

Downy Woodpecker

3

3

1

-

-

-

5

4

Hairy Woodpecker

1

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

Northern Flicker

-

1

1

-

-

-

-

1

Pileated Woodpecker

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

Blue Jay

1

-

-

-

-

-

3

-

American Crow

-

13

-

-

-

-

-

5

Black-capped Chickadee

18

4

2

-

-

9

12

3

Tufted Titmouse

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

White-breasted Nuthatch

7

2

-

-

-

3

8

4

Brown Creeper

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

2

Winter Wren

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

American Robin

-

-

-

-

-

32

16

-

European Starling

-

8

14

2

2

-

-

-

Fox Sparrow

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

Dark-eyed Junco

-

-

-

-

11

3

26

4

Northern Cardinal

-

-

-

-

-

1

14

5

American Goldfinch

-

-

2

-

-

-

2

-

House Sparrow

-

-

-

-

-

-

15

5

There were 44 species recorded at these eight localities. It's a small number, but there is significance in the details.

While moving around Elmwood Park, flocks of waterfowl were moving northward. First heard, then seen was the group of Greater White-fronted Goose, then a short time later, a bunch of loud Canada Goose, with a few intermingled Cackling Goose. The call of the latter was readily heard.

A Red-tailed Hawk lurked about, first in a tree and then in the great blue sky. Might a pair nest here again? Hopefully!

Significant Observations

Significant sightings occurred the first day while outdoors bound on a bicycle, with many pedals required to get a comprehensive perspective suitable for an adequate survey. The most obvious importance is due to the occurrence of three small birds.

There were three Pied-billed Grebes seen swimming on the unfrozen water of Carter Lake. Among the records for the national count, there were no others of this species observed in Nebraska or adjacent state. The closest places seen were east-central Kansas and west-central Missouri.

The numbers of Canvasback (with exceptional numbers), Redhead (also with exceptional numbers), Northern Shoveler, Gadwall were also significant for this oxbow lake which is now being transformed into an industrial lake.

It was a chilly time when the Pileated Woodpeckers occurred the following morning. There were some slight calls, given perhaps as a "heads up" which within moments turned into a direct observation of a big, flying woodpecker. Then another one flew in the same direction among the riverine woods. These birds have found a haunt. With a restriction on visitation, they enjoy the setting on the east side of the park, where they were also present in the early months of 2011. Whether they continue to reside is not known, because if the park setting is completely open, the intrusion of many human visitors would not suit these big woodpeckers.

While walking around Hummel Park — trying to ignore the two big dogs running around and not on a leash as required by a city ordinance — the cheer of the chickadee was prevalent. The number was impressive though the count was still something less than the number appreciating the woodland setting.

A surprising sighting was a group of five White-breasted Nuthatch within a few feets distance along Wood Creek at Elmwood Park. A couple would be no surprise, but this many were a "big flock" to appreciate.

The diminutive Brown Creeper, seen at two parks, seemed to be working the tree bark with others of its ilk. At Elmwood Park, they could both be watched in a compact view. Their occurrence was certainly much more pervasive than indicated.

The Fox Sparrow was an unexpected sighting along Wood Creek. Its rufous color and spots were characteristic. Though snow covered lots of the ground, there were places where this species could forage in its ground-scratching manner.

The only record for the Winter Wren in the Omaha area during the long weekend was in the stream-side woods at Memorial Park. Hail to the almighty spirit of the birds for getting a glimpse of this feathered mite, which — based upon previous records — should have been sighted at some of the other park places visited. This park has been the best place to get a glimpse of this seasonal visitor all winter.

Records were gathered for some other non-park places. One significant sighting was an great number of American Crow seen flying above the dead amidst the trees where various birds occur. A Cooper's Hawk found the setting to be completely suitable.


A few comments about the birds found during this survey initiative were mentioned in Nancy's Almanac for February 23rd, issued by the Omaha World-Herald.

Bird Fare Featured at Grand Canal Dinner

On Saturday, Mr. Sykes, of the New-York Coffee-House, gave his annual dinner, in honor of Clinton and the Grand Canal. The company to the number of 250, assembled at three o'clock, when they sat down to a most sumptuous entertainment, consisting of every variety of fish, flesh, and fowl, and every delicacy that our extensive markets could supply. Gen. Robert Swartwout presided. Five tables were spread, each of which was tastefully ornamented with flags and inscriptions. At the head of the first table, stood a temple with colonnades on every side, and from the centre of which rose a lofty tower, surmounted with flower, and the whole surrounded with statues of classical design. From different parts floated banners of blue and white silk, with inscriptions in letters of gold. The ornaments were tastefully arranged, and produced a happy effect. The wines supplied for the occasion, were of the highest and richest flavors, and imparted a zest to a great number of toasts which were given in the course of the evening.

That the table literally "groaned under the weight of the feast," will not be doubted by any one who peruses the following bill of fare which comprised the entertainment: —

First course. — Green turtle, oyster and oxtail soup; boiled and barbacued fish; chickens; ducks; geese; turkeys; hams; tongues; veal alamode; legs and chinese lamb; fricassees; oyster, chicken, bird and rabbit pies; roast, corned and alamode beef.

Second course. — Gallipagos turtle ragout, do. steaks; green turtle callipash, do callipee, do. steaks; turkeys a la Francaise; snipe; plover; woodcock; quails; partridges; teal; widgeon; broad-bills; black ducks; wood ducks; brant; canvass-back ducks; saddles and haunches of venison.

Dessert. — Plumb, marrow, Vermicelli, and lemon puddings; apple, cranberry and guave pies; raspberry tartlets; jellies; blancmanges, syllabubs; fruit.

The price of tickets to this dinner, was but fifty cents — a fact which we state simply to show the great abundance and variety with which our markets are daily stored. We may safely say, there is not a city or country in the universe, where such an entertainment could be furnished for such a moderate price.

November 15, 1824. Boston Commercial Gazette 66(46): 4. Presented as originally published.

21 February 2012

Newest Nebraska IBA in Garden County

The 4-D Rush Lake Reserve -- a portion of the Dietlein Ranch - has been designated as the newest Important Bird Area in Nebraska.

The 2000 acres is part of the larger Dietlein family ranch, Four D Ranch Co., in central Garden county, and on the north edge of the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The ranch has been in the Dietlein family for nearly 100 years and is owned and operated by Ev and Marge Dietlein, along with their son Tim and his wife Ellen.

"We have a great diversity of birds," said Ellen Dietlein. The reserve includes a diversity of habitat including wet meadows, alkali lakes, freshwater lakes and upland grasslands.

The locale was especially recognized for its breeding population of Long-billed Curlew, said Kevin Poague of the Nebraska chapter of the National Audubon Society. The Important Bird Area program has thus far identified 26 other sites in Nebraska - including the Crescent Lake NWR - with similar places designated in other states.

A study during two recent years on the biology of the curlew by a graduate student from Iowa State included this ranch area, which was found to support a notable population of this iconic species.

"Numbers of American bitterns, black-crowned night-herons, white-faced ibis, Forster's tern and yellow-headed blackbirds," are known to occur, said Poague. Many of the birds present on the adjacent refuge are expected to also be present on the ranch reserve.

A range management plan prepared by scientists from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was an important part of the application for designation submitted by the Dietlein's.

A guest house business - from April to October - has also being established, centered around the notable features associated with the 4-D Rush Lake Reserve and its particular setting amidst the Sand Hills.

The Dietleins are "looking to develop educational and research programming to learn more about long-term management to improve bird habitats," Poague said. "They are committed to conservation and education."

Wildbird Prices Indicated at Memphis Markets in 1859-1875

For many years, the game available at markets at Memphis indicated the purchase price for several species of wild birds. The situation here is especially significant for its longevity and variety of species represented, as determined by reviewing a great number of issues of a Memphis newspaper from February 1859 to December 1875. Items found by several searches using different criteria, as well as browsing different issues denote at least 165 items to consider. Many other records could be included, but a review does present a reasonable perspective.

One of the first accounts of significance was given in the February 27, 1859 issue of the Memphis Daily Appeal. The "Produce Price Current" report had a specific category for game, including venison, bear, ducks, teal, squirrels, partridges, turkeys, prairie fowls, rabbits, wild geese and opossum.

In September 1859, the Board of Mayor and Alderman of Memphis, issued a set of regulations for the market. There were eleven sections approved to which any merchant had to adhere, which became effective on October 1st. The particular requirements indicate what was needed to properly operate this sort of a business, according to city government:

  • The market was open, for example from 3 to 10 o'clock, A.M. from April 1st to October 1st, with Saturday hours of 4 to 10 P.M. The places were closed on Sunday
  • How products could be sold, especially considering fresh meat sold from a wagon
  • No huckster could peddle product other than at the market
  • Market Masters — one for each market house — earning $600 per annum shall perform duties including collection of fees, keeping order and authority to arrest all violators of the market or other ordinances of the city, and settle all disputes
  • Live chickens or other fowl could not be kept in front of shops or stores
  • It shall be the duty of Market Masters to keep all hogs, cattle, dogs, goats running at large out of the markets
  • Anyone found violating provisions of this ordinance shall be found guilty of a misdemeanor, and be fined not less than five nor more than fifty dollars for each offense, payable to the city treasury

The business operation was regulated, but as far as the game available, it was a situation of availability and marketing. A first market report considered was February, 1857:

¶ Ducks, mallard, $3 00 @ 3 25 per dozen
¶ Teal, $2 50 @ 3 00 per dozen
¶ Partridges, $1 50 @ 2 00 per dozen
¶ Prairie fowls, 75c per pair
¶ Wild geese, 75c

A shopper could have also gotten venison, bear, squirrel, rabbit or opossum meat for a meal or their shop.

Game items at the market in January 1867 included bear meat at 18 to 20c, apparently per pound. Then there was venison. Bird-related products included wild turkeys, ducks, prairie chickens, quails and wild geese.

Additional subsequent articles convey further information to be considered in detail for each item, based upon the overall number of market reports reviewed.

The particulars are given here based upon an interpretation of the specifics. Bird-related commodities could be interpreted as the Mallard, teal, Northern Bobwhite, Wild Turkey, Greater Prairie-Chicken and Canada Goose. A similar interpretation was done for many other other market reports. Particular attention was given to conveying prices based upon a common measure, such as the price per dozen.

The following regards are pertinent for the minimum of twelve sorts of birds which represent a period of history for the Memphis markets. When the details are combined, they indicate details for each of the bird types that could be bought at the city markets, as carefully gathered and details presented, time and time again, in the columns of the Memphis Daily Appeal.

Northern Bobwhite

02/27/1859: Partridges, $1 50 @ 2 00 per dozen
01/08/1867: Quails, $2 to 2 50
02/22/1867: Quails, 40c per dozen
12/02/1868: Quails, $2 @ 2 25
01/22/1869: Quails, $2 @ 2 25
11/07/1869: Quails, per dozen ... 2 00 @
11/07/1869: Quails, single one ... 25 @
11/28/1869: Quails, per dozen ... 2 50 @
11/28/1869: Quails, single one ... 25 @ 30
12/05/1869: Quails, $2 @ 2 50 per dozen
12/14/1869: Quails $2 @ 2 50 per dozen
01/12/1870: Quails $2.25 @ 2.50 per dozen
01/31/1870: Quails, per dozen ... 2 50 @
01/31/1870: Quails, single one ... 25 @ 30
02/21/1870: Quails, per dozen ... 2 50 @
02/21/1870: Quails, single one ... 25 @ 30
03/14/1870: Quails, single one ... 25 @ 30
03/14/1870: Quails, per dozen ... 2 00 @
12/24/1871: Quails, $3 per dozen
02/09/1873: Quails, $ 1 50
11/16/1873: Quails, $1 50 @ 1 75
11/30/1873: Quails, $1 25 @ 1 50
12/14/1873: Quails, 1 25 @ 1 50
12/22/1873: Quails, 1 25 @ 1 75
12/02/1875: Quails, per dozen, $1 75 @ 2
12/25/1875: Quails, $1 75 @ 2

Wild Turkey

01/08/1867: Wild turkeys, $1 to $1 50 each
02/22/1867: Wild turkies, each 75c to $1 00
12/02/1868: Wild turkeys, $12 @ 15
01/22/1869: Wild turkeys, $10 @ 12
11/07/1869: Wild turkeys, per dozen ... 9 00 @ 15 0
11/07/1869: Wild turkeys, single ... 1 00 @ 1 50
11/28/1869: Wild turkeys, per dozen, very scarce ... 9 00 @ 15 00
11/28/1869: Wild turkeys, single ... 1 50 @ 2 00
12/05/1869: Wild turkeys, $12 @ 15
12/14/1869: Wild turkeys $12 @ 15
01/12/1870: Wild turkeys, $9 @ 12
01/31/1870: Wild turkeys, per dozen ... 18 00 @
01/31/1870: Wild turkeys, single ... 2 00 @
02/21/1870: Wild turkeys, per dozen ... 18 00 @ 20
02/21/1870: Wild turkeys, single ... 2 25 @ 2 50
03/14/1870: Wild turkeys, single ... 2 25 @ 2 50
03/14/1870: Wild turkeys, per dozen ... $ 18 00 @ 20
12/24/1871: Wild turkeys, 25c per pound
11/16/1873: Wild turkeys, $9 @ 15
11/30/1873: Wild turkeys, $9 @ 15
12/14/1873: Wild turkeys, 9 00 @ 15
12/22/1873: Wild turkeys, 9 00 @ 15
12/02/1875: Wild turkeys, $9 @ 12
12/25/1875: Wild turkeys, $5 @ 12

In January-February 1870, these birds were the priciest of any of those considered during the period investigated.

Prairie-chickens

Most of these birds were probably the Greater Prairie-Chicken, due to the geographic location of the market. Sharp-tailed Grouse could have also been expected at some of the western markets, perhaps at St. Louis.

02/27/1859: Prairie fowls, 75c per pair
01/08/1867: Prairie chickens, $5 per dozen
02/22/1867: Prairie chickens, $2 50 per dozen
11/07/1869: Prairie chickens, per pair ... 1 50 @
11/07/1869: Prairie chickens, per dozen ... 5 00 @
11/28/1869: Prairie chickens, per dozen ... 7 00 @ 8 00
11/28/1869: Prairie chickens, per pair ... 1 50 @ 2 00
01/31/1870: Prairie chickens, very scarce, per dozen ... 13 00 @
01/31/1870: Prairie chickens, per pair ... 3 00 @
02/21/1870: Prairie chickens, very scarce, per dozen ... $12 00 @ 15
02/21/1870: Prairie chickens, per pair ... 3 00 @
03/14/1870: Prairie chickens, per pair ... 3 00 @
03/14/1870: Prairie chickens, very scarce, per dozen ... $12 00 @ 15
02/09/1873: Prairie chickens, $4 @ 4 25
11/16/1873: Prairie chickens, $4 @ 4 50
11/30/1873: Prairie chickens, $3 50 @ 4
12/14/1873: Prairie chickens, $3 50 @ 4 00
12/22/1873: Prairie chickens, 4 00 @ 4 50
12/02/1875: Prairie chickens, per dozen, $3 50 @ 4
12/25/1875: Prairie chickens, $3 @ 3 50

The highest price paid per dozen was January-February 1870, at the same time when wild turkeys also were more expensive to purchase.

Wild goose

Most readily the Canada Goose, though other wild geese could included could have been the Greater White-fronted Goose, an errant Snow Goose, etc.

02/27/1859: Wild geese, 75c
01/08/1867: Wild geese, $9 per dozen
02/22/1867: Wild geese, $5 per dozen
12/02/1868: Wild geese, $9 @ 11
01/22/1869: Wild geese, $9 @ 11
11/07/1869: Wild geese, single ... 75 @ 1 00
11/07/1869: Wild geese, per dozen ... 6 00 @ 9 00
11/28/1869: Wild geese, single, very scarce ... 3 00 @
12/05/1869: Wild geese, $8 @ 10
12/14/1869: Wild geese $8 @ 10
01/31/1870: Wild geese, single ... 75 @ 1 00
02/21/1870: Wild geese, single ... 75 @ 1 00
03/14/1870: Wild geese, single ... 75 @ 1 00
11/16/1873: Wild geese, $8 @ 9
11/30/1873: Wild geese, $4 @ 5
12/14/1873: Wild geese, 4 00 @ 5 00
12/22/1873: Wild geese, 4 00 @ 5 00
02/16/1875: Wild geese, $4 50
12/25/1875: Wild geese, $4 @ 6

Mallard

This prominent species was well known — as its key features were iconic — and was readily classified to a specific market item.

02/27/1859: Ducks, mallard, $3 00 @ 3 25 per dozen
11/07/1869: Mallard ducks, per pair .. 75 @ 1 00
11/07/1869: Mallard ducks, per dozen ... 3 00 @
11/28/1869: Mallard ducks, per dozen ... 3 00 @
11/28/1869: Mallard ducks, per pair ... 1 00 @
01/31/1870: Mallard ducks, per dozen, scarce ... 3 00 @
01/31/1870: Mallard ducks, per pair ... 1 00 @
02/21/1870: Mallard ducks, per pair ... 1 00 @
02/21/1870: Mallard ducks, per dozen, scarce ... 3 00 @
03/14/1870: Mallard ducks, per pair 1 00 @
03/14/1870: Mallard ducks, per dozen, scarce ... 3 00 @
11/16/1873: Mallard, $2 50
11/30/1873: Mallard, $2 25
12/14/1873: Mallard ducks, $ 2 00 @ 2 25
12/22/1873: Mallard duck, 2 00 @ 2 25
12/02/1875: Mallard ducks, per dozen, $4 @ 5
12/25/1875: Mallard ducks, $2 50 @ 3

Wood duck

Another readily identifiable species, which helps in limiting any references to this particular species.

11/07/1869: Wood ducks, per pair ... 75 @
11/07/1869: Wood ducks, per dozen ... 2 00 @
11/28/1869: Wood ducks, per dozen .. 2 00 @
11/28/1869: Wood ducks, per pair ... 75 @
01/31/1870: Wood ducks, per dozen, scarce ... 1 50 @
01/31/1870: Wood ducks, per pair ... 50 @
02/21/1870: Wood ducks, per pair ... 50 @
02/21/1870: Wood ducks, per dozen, scarce ... 1 50 @
03/14/1870: Wood ducks, per pair ... 50 @
03/14/1870: Wood ducks, per dozen, scarce ... 1 50 @
11/16/1873: Wood [duck], $2
11/30/1873: Wood [duck], $2
12/14/1873: Wood ducks, 1 50
12/22/1873: Wood ducks, 1 50
12/02/1875: Wood ducks, per dozen, $1 25
12/25/1875: Wood ducks, $1 50

Gray duck

Probably represents the Gadwall in most cases.

11/07/1869: Gray ducks, per pair ... 75 @
11/07/1869: Gray ducks, per dozen ... 2 00 @
11/28/1869: Gray ducks, per pair .. 75 @
11/28/1869: Gray ducks, per dozen ... 2 00 @
01/31/1870: Gray ducks, per pair ... 75 @
01/31/1870: Gray ducks, per dozen, scarce ... 2 00 @
02/21/1870: Gray ducks, per pair ... 75 @
02/21/1870: Gray ducks, per dozen, scarce ... 2 00 @
03/14/1870: Gray ducks, per pair ... 75 @
03/14/1870: Gray ducks, per dozen, scarce ... 2 00 @
11/16/1873: Gray [duck], $2
12/14/1873: Gray ducks, 1 25 @ 2 00
12/22/1873: Gray ducks, 1 25 @ 2 00
12/02/1875: Gray ducks, per dozen, $2
12/25/1875: Gray ducks, $1 50

Teal

It would have been helpful for the reports to have indicated whether it was a Blue-winged Teal or a Green-winged Teal, as any reference was undoubtedly either of these two species.

02/27/1859: Teal, $2 50 @ 3 00 per dozen
11/07/1869: Teal ducks, per pair ... 75 @
11/07/1869: Teal ducks, per dozen ... 2 00 @
11/28/1869: Teal ducks, per pair ... 75 @
11/28/1869: Teal ducks, per dozen ... 2 00 @
01/31/1870: Teal ducks, per pair ... 50 @
01/31/1870: Teal ducks, per dozen ... 1 50 @
02/21/1870: Teal ducks, per pair ... 50 @
02/21/1870: Teal ducks, per dozen ... 1 50 @
03/14/1870: Teal ducks, per pair ... 50 @
03/14/1870: Teal ducks, per dozen ... 1 50 @
11/16/1873: Teal, $2
12/02/1875: Teal ducks, per dozen, $1 25
12/25/1875: Teal, $1

There were numerous listings for "wild duck" but those are not given here as the quote could apply to a myriad of species that shootists would take to sell.

Passenger Pigeon

11/16/1873: Wild pigeons, 40 @ 50 c
11/30/1873: Wild pigeons, 25 @ 40 c; pigeons very plentiful
12/14/1873: Pigeons, 25 @ 40
12/22/1873: Pigeons, 25 @ 40

It isn't possible to derive any trend because of the few price quotes. Considering the massive numbers of wild pigeons taken according during these decades, according to numerous reports, it is surprising there is such a dearth of price quotes. If there were more sources available, the history of this species as conveyed by market reports would be a fascinating topic among the many others known for this prominent species which is now extinct.

American Woodcock

03/14/1870: Woodcock, per dozen ... $4 00 @ 5 00

Snipe

Possibly the Wilson's Snipe, although the term as it was used during the decades of this era, could have easily been applied to a great variety of shorebirds.

03/14/1870: Snipe, per dozen ... $2 50 @

Though most of the market reports were a terse summary giving the basics of a product and its price, on occasion there were additional details which present tidbits interesting to the perspective for a particular date.

Game. - Wild meats of all kinds are getting out of season, and prices are very weak." — February 22, 1867
Game - Market quiet — January 22, 1869
"The display of game was better yesterday evening than on any previous occasion this fall. The meats of Victor Fuchs, on Jefferson street, near Second, J.D. Edwards on Second street, and Edwards Branch (Chas. N. Martin's place) on Jefferson street, were splendidly stocked with almost everything in the game line." — November 28, 1869
"Game and Poultry - The market is moderately well supplied." — December 14, 1869
"For some reason not explained or known to us, there has for three days been a dearth of game in the market. While we quote the following, we can only say the prices are merely nominal" — January 31, 1870
"There is a scarcity of game in the market, owing to the proximity of Christmas." — December 1871

Further details will be worth considering, because the facts were published in the Memphis newspaper — or elsewhere - at one time or another during some week, during the month and in a particular year.

As additional information becomes readily available for researching, there could be a much more comprehensive perspective established. As text recognition improves, it will also be easier to find items of interest using text search options. The future for investigating this one topic, as well as others associated with historic ornithology, will only get better!

For further reading, refer to: The market assistant, containing a brief description of every article of human food sold in the public markets of the cities of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn; including the various domestic and wild animals, poultry, game, fish, vegetables, fruits &c., &c. with many curious incidents and anecdotes published by Thomas F. De Voe in 1867.

Passenger Pigeon Squabs Served at 1796 Dinner

A repast of historic significance occurred in June 1796, in Philadelphia. The event may have not been especially significant except for one particular culinary item. This account is a vivid presentation for the unknown multitude of game dinners which for centuries in the United States, have included well-done meat of many sorts of birds, each one obviously a tasty portion.

This is obviously a historically significant account indicating wild pigeons squabs being a prominent main course for a dinner of political importance.

Feathers were an especially notable part of the women's adornment.

This is the article, presented in its entirety as issued.

First Course.

Baked Salmon.
Neat's tongue. Veal olives. Sweet breads.
Pigeon pie. Soup a la reine. Fillet of beef.
Roasted lobsters. Roast lamb. Ducks and peas.
Broiled shad.

Second Course.

Green goose.
Asparagus. Cup-custard. Lamb chops.
Gooseberry tarte. Epergue. Lemon tarts.
Ragouts of livers. Blanc-mange. Spinach.
Broiled chickens.

Third Course.

Wild-pigeon squabs.
Stewed lettuce. Tartlets. Black caps.
Blanched almonds. Jellies and syllabubs. Raisins.
Buttered crabs. Cheese cakes. Ratafin cream.
Woodcock.

Sally McKean
Marchioness D'Yrujo.

From the Portrait by Gilbert Stuart.
From: Old Time Belles and Cavaliers,
By Edith Tunis Sale, 1912.

"The fillet of beef," says the chronicler, "was served with mushrooms, and the tame ducks were garnished with boiled mint shopped fine. The delicacies of the season were the green goose, spring chickens, and a hind-quarter of lamb, the latter from the grass-lands of Virginia. The wild-pigeon squabs were from the great pigeon roosts in Pennsylvania, and the wood cock were brought from the lowlands of New Jersey." This dinner was given on Arch Street, in Philadelphia, June, 1796, the hour being half-past three o'clock. Among the twenty guests who were present were Mrs. Henry Clymer and Mrs. Bingham, brilliant beauties of the day; Chief Justice McKean and his beautiful and gifted daughter; the Marquis d'Yrujo, the Spanish ambassador, who but a few days before had arrived in this country, and who, falling in love with Miss McKean at this dinner, finally married her; Sir Robert Liston, the British Minister; Counsellor Dunn, an Irish gentleman, who had come to America to study the Indian language; Mrs. Perez Mortoif, wife of the attorney-general of Massachusetts, and known as the American Sappho; Count de Volney, who had been saved from the guillotine only by the opportune death of Robespierre; Colonel Rutledge, of South Carolina, and others of nearly equal note. At this time, Philadelphia numbered about fifty thousand inhabitants, and at no season had it ever been grayer than during the winter of 1796-96. On the 1st of June, '96, Congress adjourned; distinguished strangers were still lingering in the city; and the dinner of which we write was one of a series of brilliant entertainments which followed the closing of the session. Dinners in the capital were then given at three o'clock, and were usually confined to three courses; teas were at four o'clock, and corresponded to our kettle-drums, and evening parties were at six or seven o'clock at the latest. The style of dress then in vogue was picturesque. "The dresses were generally open, the waists short, and a narrow silver laurel-tipped edging came up around the neck. The petticoat was almost always of crepe, embroidered and tied up with festoons. The hair was generally powdered, and the headdresses were composed of embroidered bandeaus, and colored and silvered crepe twisted in with the hair, which was dressed loosely. Feathers were also worn, and the turban was the favorite shape for caps. One of these caps was usually worn by President Madison's wife, and Mrs. Seaton chattily writes of Mrs. Madison. "'Tis not her form, 'tis not her face, it is the woman altogether whom that I should wish you to see. She wears a crimson cap that almost hides her forehead, but becomes her exceedingly, and reminds one of a crown, from its brilliant appearance contrasted with the white satin folds, and her jet black curls.' The fashionable colors of this time were white, pale pink and green violet, lilac, lemon color, and, to a limited extent, orange." Of the costumes worn at our dinner, several have been recorded. Miss McKean wore a blue satin dress trimmed with white crepe, richly embroidered, and across the front there was a festoon of rose-color, caught up with flowers. The portrait of Miss McKean (subsequently the Marquise d'Yrujo) was preserved in Philadelphia, and years after her death it was engraved to embellish the "Republican Court."

This menu was contributed by "Margaret" at the suggestion of "Tabbies,' bills of fare. Issued May 10, 1883 by the Washington D.C. National Tribune 2(39): 3.

Sandhill Crane Survives for 98 Years?

A historic newspaper article provides a truly distinctive account about the longevity of a Sandhill Crane, as ascertained from indicators unmistakably associated with the bird. The provides the essential details for a distinct bit of lore for this species, with the details presented by an editor for a newspaper, where accuracy was an obvious focus.

The following is the entirety of the published article:

"Thomas Chaplin, of Virginia City, Nevada, passed through this city last Friday, with a team and light wagon, on his way home from a visit to friends in Sonoma county. When crossing Butte Creek, ten miles west of this place, he shot and killed a sandhill crane. The bird acted as if lost, and being alone, attracted Mr. Chaplin's attention with the above result. After the bird was killed Mr. Chaplin decided to save the feathers. While thus engaged he saw that the bird was blind, a thick white film covering the pupils of both eyes, and on the neck he discovered a crease encircling it, which looked as if at some time or other the head had been almost cut off with a knife. Upon close investigation, however, the gentleman found that this crease was caused by a wire around the neck and sunk deep into the flesh -- so much so that it could not be seen until the flesh had been cut away. Suspended from the wire, which passed through a little hole near the rim of the coin, was what had evidently at one time been a silver quarter-dollar. Both sides of the piece were smooth and bore the following inscriptions: 'Captured at Fort Du Quesne, May 25, 1783.' 'Released at Fort Dearborn, November 17, 1846.' The coin was of a dull bright color, but having been protected by the soft down, bore no evidence of having experienced rough weather. Cranes are out of their latitude in this climate at this season of the year, and it is highly probable the bird was unable by reason of the infirmities of old age to travel any longer. It is more than likely the coin was an English piece, as this Government had not issued metal money at that early date."

Particular geographic considerations are:

  • Fort Du Quesne was on the right side of the Monongahela River, in Pennsylvania, and in the fork between that river and the Ohio River.
  • Fort Dearborn was at Chicago, in Illinois.
  • Gridley is in Butte County, California.

The event was profoundly significant, because of the reported age of the crane, along with its extent of occurrence. The captive bird was seemingly taken from Pennsylvania to Illinois, and subsequently made its own way among the migratory cranes, going from the east to the west coast.

Did this crane survive for at least 98 years. Its hidden "necklace" would indicate this unsurpassed extent of survival, if authentic. The basic, factual presentation in the newspaper lends nothing towards any fabrication of details. There was apparently no need why something seemingly trivial at the time, should be "enhanced" with false information.

This account is significant for its completely unique account of an old Sandhill Crane, with evidence which would indicate the multiple decades survival of one Sandhill Crane. There is no other information which could be found that would match the life-term details given in the newspaper article of 1881.

Sandhills cranes are known for their longevity, according to specifics available from an online search of the topic. Wild birds thirty years old have been reported. A captive bird at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. survived for 61 years.

This particular bird may have been the longest living Sandhill Crane now ever-known in North America.

Article citation: An Old Bird. June 20, 1881. Sacramento Daily Record Union 13(102): 5. From the Gridley Herald.