Great Haul of Pigeons at Covington Pennsylvania

Up in Covington last Saturday, at the place of Mr. Jacob Gress, were caught over nineteen hundred wild pigeons, say 2000 in round numbers. Mr. E. Harris and Mr. Gress inform us that the pigeon roost has been broken up by the hunters from Scranton and other places, who gave them no rest. — Wilkes-Barre Times.

April 5, 1860. Great haul of pigeons. Jeffersonian 19(13): 2.

Number of Wild Pigeons Bagged in Pennsylvania

Our neighbor, Philip Clark, Esq., bagged quite a number of wild pigeons on Thursday last, by means of a net, on the hills, in this vicinity.

April 5, 1862. Pigeons. Sunbury American 15(2): 2.

Wild Pigeons Netted in Columbia County Pennsylvania

Samuel Kline, of Benton, Columbia County, has "netted" 250 wild pigeons this spring.

May 2, 1862. [Wild pigeons netted in Columbia county.] Union County Star and Lewisburg Chronicle, page 1.

Pigeon Nesting in the Highland Woods of Pennsylvania

For us to attempt to enlighten our readers in this locality, upon the subject of pigeon nestings would be idle indeed, but there are many others who as verdant as we were, will look upon the congregated millions of these birds with their nests as they are now to be seen in the Highland woods for miles in extent and covering thousands of acres, as one of Natures' Wonders. When a boy we read Audubon's account of a great pigeon roost in one of the western States, and his vivid description aroused a desire in me to see something of the kind for ourselves, a desire which has never been gratified until now. We have been to see this nesting. We left our horses are the house of Mr. Stubbs in Highland who directed us to go down the draft south-west from his house about a mile. He said "we couldn't miss it." Well might he say so, for long before we reached them we were made aware of our proximity by their loud and continued noise. We reached the nesting about noon. We found the cocks were on the nests while the hens were away feeding. This is one peculiarity of the pigeons eminently necessary in their multiplication. Myriads of them nesting in one locality it requires a large scope of country to furnish them their food. They are known to feed fifty miles distant from their nests. The absence for this purpose would would require so much time, that the eggs would become cold, were it not that the cock and the hen each sit on the nest while the other feeds. For this reason a flock of pigeons during the hatching season is always either all cocks or all hens. When we were there the hens commenced coming in about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and continued until we left which was between four and five. The noise made by them coming in, can only be compared to a mighty rushing wind, while the confusion and combination of sounds occasioned by the cries and flapping of wings of those among the trees, must be left to the imagination as beyond description. The nests are much smaller than we had fancied, apparently not larger than those of our smallest birds but very different in shape and construction, being built of stocks, and almost flat. The pigeon sits on top of the nest, not in it, the head and tail projecting. As many as a dozen nests will be found on quite a small tree. The timber is generally beech, maple and hemlock. The extent of the nesting is not know certainly, but it must extend along Bear Creek a distance of at least ten miles. When we were there some of the young were hatched, as was shown by the egg shells strewed over the ground. About the later part of this week, people will be rushing to the nesting to gather the "squabs" the name given to the young pigeons. These are said to be a delicacy, and will be gathered by the wagon load.

We recommend all lovers of sport as well as all those who like use were anxious to see one of the most remarkable sights animated nature affords to visit this nesting. We feel (notwithstanding our old shot gun nearly knock one side of our face off) that we were amply repaid for our trouble. To those who are fond of the good things of this life, we need only say that Mrs. Stubbs gave us one of the best meals we ever had in our life.

May 3, 1866. Pigeon nesting in the Highland Woods. Elk Advocate 6(11): 2.

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The Pigeon Nesting.

The pigeon nesting in Highland continues to be a great attraction. Hunters and lovers of the curious are daily going and returning. The "squabs" have been gathered in great quantities and shipped off. Acres of timber have been cut down for the purpose of getting them. They are now able to fly and we presume must be shot. After they had grown to considerable size, and just before they could fly, a very easy mode of capturing them was to jar the tree, when the squabs would jump out of the nests and fall or flutter to the ground. A colony of about sixty Indians have established themselves among them and are making terrible havoc. The little Indian boys are said to be bringing down the pigeons by their bows and arrows with an unerringness of aim worthy of the days when through this land the rights of their race there was "none to dispute."

May 10, 1866. Elk Advocate 6(12): 3.

Appearance of Immense Flocks of Pigeons at Pennsylvania

During the latter part of last week immense flocks of wild pigeons made their appearance in this vicinity. A great many were captured in nets by our sportsmen, near this place. On Saturday they were offered in our markets at seventy-five cents per dozen. We hear of large numbers being caught in the neighborhood of Williamsport.

April 18, 1868. Pigeons. Sunbury American 4(25): 3.

Gunners and Nimrods After Pigeons in Pennsylvania

Messrs. Marshall, Miller and Feldman were out gunning on Thursday, and brought home nineteen pigeons, and they were not numerous on that day either. — Chambersburg Opinion.

Mr. Harry Strickler, determined that his Chambersburg acquaintances should not bag more pigeons than he could, one morning of last week, in company with those Nimrods, J.C. Postlethwaite and E.H. Marshall started for the woods. They returned in the evening not "ladened with burnished spoils," but with pigeons, having succeeded in bagging 107. Hand over the belt.

October 7, 1874. [Gunners and nimrods after pigeons.] Somerset Herald 23(16): 3.

Speculations on Wild Pigeon Flights at New Holland

For several days during this week a number of flocks of wild pigeons passed over this place. Several of these flocks were very large and contained immense numbers of these migratory birds. They do no generally pass over this section of country at this season of the year, and there have been different speculations as to the cause of their appearance. Most of the flocks, we believe, were flying in a southerly direction and some have thought that they had been further north for the purpose of breeding and had found the season too cold yet, and hence are moving southward again. According to Audubon and other learned ornithologists they do not undertake their journeys for the purpose of seeking a warmer climate, but to procure food and hence migrate only as their food in one place becomes exhausted, and consequently are irregular in their migrations, as to date.

April 3, 1875. Wild pigeons. New Holland Clarion 3(12): 2.

Hunting Pigeons in Large Numbers

Two young gentlemen of this city, [n.l.] pill dispensers, went hunting for pigeons last week, and succeeded in bringing down a single one, which to their great amazement was "hooded and blind." Here was a case which staggered the medical gentlemen, and after half an hour's consultation, it was concluded that the poor bird had been suffering from a severe case of cataract; but the bird was a conundrum. The pigeon had been used as a "stool," in which it is necessary to sew up the eyes of the bird, and the boots were for the purpose of fastening it to the stool. The bird had probably escaped from some pigeon catcher.

April 12, 1875. Hunting pigeons. Williamsport Gazette and Bulletin 6(119): 4.

Wild Pigeons Unusually Plentiful at Stroudsburg

Wild pigeons have been unusually plentiful with us this spring. Large numbers have been shot and caught, and, they have been offered to our citizens at $1 per dozen. A flock settled down in one of our town gardens last Friday, but they left before giving our hunters a chance at them. Our typographical force went out last Saturday to "play havoc and let loose the dogs of war" among them and returned after a hard days work with 0-0-0. Bully.

April 15, 1875. [Wild pigeons unusually plentiful.] Stroudsburg Jeffersonian 32(46): 2.

Millions of Pigeons - A Roost Many Miles in Length

A Torchlight Shooting Expedition

Moscow, Pa., April 14. — A wilderness known as the Beech Woods covers a large portion of western Pike county and northwestern Monroe county, this state. Ike Bennett and Clint Waters, bark peddlers, were in the depths of the woods on Friday last, when they were startled by a sudden darkening of the sky and a noise like a heavy gale of wind. At the same time the trees about them began to fill with wild pigeons. They came from the northward, and as far as the men could see in that direction the air was black with the birds. They settled down in the trees as thick as bees, and in an incredibly short space of time the woods seemed to be a living mass of pigeons. They lighted in the trees in such numbers that large branches were broken by their weight. They seemed to take no heed of the men, and crowded the tree under which they stood, occupying branches almost within reach of them. Nearly half an hour elapsed before they all found resting places in the woods. The bark peddlers killed hundreds of them with clubs, and walked five miles through the woods without reaching the end of the roost. The men say that with one swoop of a long club they could knock down dozens to the ground, creating only a temporary panic among the pigeons, and that only among those directly attacked.

The lumbermen and others, when told by Bennett and Waters of the wonderful sight they had seen, organized a night hunt. Dozens of men, armed with poles and guns, started for the woods, and reached there after dark. They carried torches of pine knots. The pigeons alarmed by the noise of the guns and the glaring of the torches, rose from their perches and flew blindly about. For two hours the poles and guns made sad havoc among the roosting birds. The roar of thousands of wings, the cracking of branches, flashing torches, swashing poles, and reports of guns formed a scene wild and terrible. Thousands of pigeons were slaughtered before the lawless and ruthless destroyers were glutted. Each one brought away as many as he could carry, which was a small portion compared with the number left on the ground to feed foxes and wolves.

On Saturday morning another expedition started out for further slaughter of the pigeons. The birds had evidently sought the roost for the purpose of nesting. The woods swarmed with hunters on Saturday. The great flock finally rose en masse, and in a short time every bird had disappeared. The direction of the flight was westward toward the Susquehanna. It is estimated that the flock was fully 12 miles long, and 4 or 5 in width.

About 4 weeks ago an enormous flock of wild pigeons passed over Sullivan Co., N.Y. and settled in the wilderness in the northern part of that county, near the head waters of the Beaverkill. It is believed that this was the same flock mentioned above. It extended from Gilman's , Sullivan Co., to a point 13 miles to the eastward, and was several minutes in passing over, flying high.

April, 21, 1876. Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph 8(250): 1. Also: April 22, 1876 in Carbon Advocate 4(2): 3.

Huge Pigeon Roost in Pennsylvania

A wild pigeon roost has been discovered in Pike county, Pa., five miles long and two miles wide, and the number of pigeons which nightly assemble there is estimated at millions. A party of lumbermen raided on them a few nights since, and with long poles succeeded in killing over ten thousand. Each one brought away as many as he could carry, which was a small portion compared with the number left on the ground to feed the foxes and wolves.

May 11, 1876. A huge pigeon roost. Washington D.C. Evening Star 47(7215): 1.

Large Flocks of Wild Pigeons Over Town

The Johnstown Tribune of yesterday says; This morning several large flocks of wild pigeons flew over town in a southerly direction, and it was not long after the first lot was observed until a number of sportsmen repaired to the adjoining hills. The crack of shot guns could be heard distinctly all day, and it is to be presumed that a great many of the birds were bagged. Several pigeons were brought to town last week by hunters who had scoured the mountains in search of them, the condition of this fine species of game was excellent. It may be that their appearance to-day in unusual numbers is the precursor of a storm; and the general appearance of the sky and the change of atmosphere would indicate that people who make guesses of this kind will find their prognostications correct.

October 30, 1877. Wild pigeons. Evening Mirror, page 4.

Wild Pigeons at Laporte

Jasper Clark, of the Laporte house, came down from that place yesterday (Thursday) and reports the woods as being literally filled with wild pigeons. They made their first appearance there last Sunday morning, since which time they have been coming in by the thousands until the county is alive with them. Yesterday morning they were flying thick and he saw one flock while on his way here that was not less than half a mile in length. Should no snow storm drive them away, they will, he says, remain several weeks. They pass over the town so low that one can easily bring them down with a gun at almost any point in the place. Here is a chance for sport. — Hugesville Journal.

March 15, 1878. Columbian 12(11): 3.

Spring Shooting of Wild Pigeons Should Stop

Since the advent of comparatively warm weather, nearly every one who likes to shoot has been watching anxiously and with hope to see wild pigeons flying in this vicinity in such numbers as would invite sportsmen to sally forth in their pursuit. But though there have been many reports that the big flocks were heading this way, the expectations built on those statements have thus far proved delusive and the guns remained unused. Pigeons were seen in fair numbers a few days ago at Buffalo and towards Corning, but have now disappeared from those districts, leaving those who hoped for sport to mourn. If there are any so desirous of a day's shooting at pigeons as to visit Tideout, Pa., for the purpose, there is positive assurance that some may be had. George T. Stillson to-day received a communication from a friend at that town, saying that the boys were shooting great numbers and netters were catching the birds by the hundred dozen. They are resting near Tideouts, and must remain there until the young are able to fly. While announcing where the birds may be found, we would not be understood as approving of the custom by which the pigeons are harassed in their nesting ground or during the season of incubation. The system is inhumane, unsportsmanlike, and must if continued assist materially in exterminating the pigeon race. — The necessary destruction of forests in these Eastern States is of itself sufficient to go far in driving the pigeons from the country, and when to this is added the wanton destruction of the birds at all seasons, it is plain that they must soon become about as rare as the dodo. this is a consummation devoutly to be regretted, and sportsmen's clubs should take some effectual action o stop the killing of the birds in this wholesale manner. In this State the law forbids the shooting of the birds within half a mile of the nestling ground, but that provision is useless even if enforced, for the mature birds must fly far from the nests to get food, and can then be slaughtered at will. Killing them at all during the breeding season should cease.

March 28, 1878. The latest from the wild pigeons - spring shooting should stop. Rochester Union and Advertiser 53(74): 2.

Agent of Society Sends Fine Wild Pigeons

Mr. C.B. Burdeck, of Smithport, McKean county, and one of the agents of the U.B. Aid Society, yesterday sent to Mr. Geo. A. Mark, secretary of the society, fifteen fine wild pigeons which were shot in that section. Doubtless Mr. Mark has plenty of friends who would be willing to lunch with him just about the time the pigeons are brought on the table.

June 1, 1878. Wild pigeons. Lebanon Daily News 6(225): 1.

Numerous Flocks of Wild Pigeons - Pennsylvania

Numerous flocks of wild pigeons have been visiting this place and the adjacent country, within a few days past, affording excellent sport for the fowler, whose success is always certain, owing to the myriads which he encounters. Many dozen taken in nets, were brought to market during the week, which were rapidly disposed of at five cents per pigeon. The number flying around seems not to be diminished, although their southerly migration, n doubt, will soon be resumed. — Miners' Journal.

September 27, 1831. Pigeons. Republican Star and General Advertiser 33(5): 3.

Reports of Vast Numbers of Pigeons

Vast flocks of Pigeons have passed near the lake within the past week, on their western emigration tour. The flocks were composed mostly of young ones, many of which, it appears, were affected with the western fever before they were so strong & perfectly fledged as they should be for such an undertaking, and fell an easy prey to the sportsmen, who were armed with clubs and poles to knock them down as they passed. Some one hundred and sixty were killed near this village, the other morning, by some persons who occupied a high point of land near the lake, over which they passed, and knocked them down with long poles.

They have been in the habit of nesting in the southern part of this county, and we are informed there is a large collection near Sugar Grove, Pa. now engaged in rearing their young, from whence they send out emigrants as fast as they get prepared, to occupy Uncle Sam's territory in the west. The farmers in this vicinity do not look upon these enterprising squatters in a very friendly light, on account of their predatory habits, in visiting the fields of grain in the vicinity. Their habitations are frequently assailed, and immense numbers of the imperfectly fledged young are taken alive, and carried off to gratify the appetites of the city epicures. As they build their nests as compact as possible, literally covering the trees and saplings with them, and sometimes extending their settlements in this way for miles, their capture in therefore rendered comparatively easy. We are informed that these wagons, with over three thousand pigeons from the vicinity of their nesting lately passed near this place, on their way to Buffalo.

The Boston Traveller notices the arrival in the Railroad cars, of three thousand live pigeons in that city. They were brought from Michigan. — They are said to be very fine after being kept a few days and fatted.

June 8, 1842. Pigeons. Fredonia Censor 12(13): 2.

Immense Flocks of Pigeons Over Somerset

During the last few days immense flocks of wild pigeons passed over our town towards the Northeast exactly an opposite direction to that which pigeons usually take at this season of the year. The presumption is, that they were driven from the Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina by a snow storm.

November 17, 1846. Wild pigeons. Somerset Herald and Farmers' and Mechanics' Register 5(1): 3.

Immense Flocks of Wild Pigeons About Sunbury

Immense flocks of wild pigeons passed through this section of country, during last week, on their Northern migratory journey. Large quantities that had been caught in nets were brought to town, and sold at 25 to 31 cts. per dozen. The hail storm of Tuesday checked their progress, and on Wednesday the heavens were in many places literally darkened with immense flocks, which had suddenly turned about and were making not exactly tracks, but rapid flight for the South. But the fields in many places were covered with them in search of food. The sportsmen, with the net and gun, have a fine time, and in a few days pigeons will be plenty at a shilling per dozen.

April 3, 1848. Pigeons. Sunbury American and Shamokin Journal 7(28): 2.

Large Quantities of Pigeons Flying and in Market

During the past week, large quantities of pigeons were flying. Many have been taken by our farmers and others, fond of the sport. Live pigeons have been selling from 37 1/2 to 50 cents per dozen. Dead ones as low as 18 3/4 cents per dozen.

March 23, 1850. Pigeons. Sunbury American 2(52): 2.