16 May 2014

Wild Pigeons in Falling Rivers Territory of Campbell County

A letter from Campbell county, Virginia, states that probably 100,000 pigeons have been recently in one section of the county. The locality on which these birds are found is the territory between the Little and Big Falling rivers, in Campbell county. The Union Hill church is about the central point and head quarters. They come into camp by thousands at night, and go in armies into the surrounding country for acorns. Their numbers are not diminishing, but are represented as rather increasing. They have already occupied this ground for months. Two hundred men and boys are sometimes found in pursuit of the birds in the night time, within the limits of the pigeon camp.

February 18, 1858. Wild pigeons. Jeffersonian 18(9): 2. Also in Lebanon Advertiser 9(34): 3. Issued February 17, 1858. Also: February 9, 1858 in the Southern Recorder 39(6): 2; as well as in the American Volunteer.

A correspondent of the Lynchburg Virginian, writing from Hat Creek, Campbell county, says: "Probably 100,000 pigeons have been killed in this pigeon war. The number of feather beds the thrifty housewives have put up, and are putting up, from the most excellent feathers from these birds, can hardly be told. They come into their camp by the thousands at night, and leave with the morning light, and go out in armies into the surrounding country for acorns. Their numbers are not diminishing — they are increasing. They have already occupied this ground for months. — Two hundred men and boys are sometimes found in pursuit of the birds in the night time, within the limits of this pigeon camp. There is great sport; the best of oyster suppers are sometimes served up on this pigeon ground."

February 26, 1858. Pigeons. Liberty Tribune 12(46): 2.