Perfect Clouds of Pigeons Swarm Minnesota Wheat Fields

Never before, within our memory, have pigeons been so numerous as this year. They fly over in perfect clouds; they swarm upon the wheat fields in this section of the country, threatening the utter destruction of every seed sown. In some cases acre after acre of wheat has been picked up and swallowed by them after it had been sown, before it could be covered.

May 6, 1863. Pigeons. Goodhue Volunteer 7(11): 4.

Wild Pigeons in Vast Numbers in Minnesota

Wild pigeons are seen in vast number in Minnesota, near Chatfield. In such swarms have they appeared on some farms, that they are with great difficulty kept from gathering the wheat as fast as it is sown. Their settling upon the field and flight resemble great clouds. The prairie chickens are very numerous, and are doing much damage by picking up the newly-sown wheat.

May 15, 1863. [Wild pigeons in vast numbers in Minnesota.] Daily National Republican 3(143): 2.

A New Scourge - Whole Fields of Grain Destroyed by Pigeons

A New Scourge - Whole Fields of Grain Destroyed by Pigeons

Initially May 8, 1867 in the Memphis Appeal 17(243): 4.

We learn from reliable sources that the farmers of many of the western counties are much troubled with pigeons, in fact these birds have become a perfect scourge. Vast flocks have made their appearance, the air in many places being literally darkened; and having migrated a long distance from the south they are very voracious. These flocks alight upon the fields of new sown grain, and rolling over and over like the waves of the sea, pick up every kernel of grain in sight. It is impossible to drive them away; they are unmindful of the firing of guns, throwing of stones, shooting of men or barking of dogs; and it is an easy task to kill any number of them with a pole. One farmer residing near Independence had sown three acres of wheat, and was preparing to harrow it in, when the pigeons made their appearance and gobbled up every kernel before he could get it covered. Some fields containing forty acres were absolutely covered with pigeons, and although the sportsmen waged an incessant warfare against them, and killed great numbers, their places were soon supplied with others. Hunting pigeons has lost the charm of novelty, and the main question is now to save the grain. With the present high price of seed wheat, and its scarcity, this becomes a question of serious consideration.

A great number of fields will have to be sowed a second time, and we hear of some farmers who are doing it the third time. From all accounts, the main depredations of the feathered scourge appear to be confined to the region of country bordering the Wapsipinicon, as but comparatively little damage is reported along the Cedar river. — Dubuque Herald.

May 17, 1867. Lockport Daily Journal and Courier 9(73): 1.

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A Pigeon Invasion.

The Dubuque (Iowa) Herald says that in the western counties of the State the pigeons "have become a perfect scourge. Vast flocks have made their appearance, the air in many places being literally darkened, and having migrated a long distance from the South, they are very voracious. The flocks alight upon the fields of new-sown grain, and rolling over and over like the waves of the sea, pick up every kernel of grain in sight. It is impossible to drive them away; they are unmindful of the firing of guns, throwing of stones, shouting of men or barking of dogs, and it is an easy matter to kill any number of them with a pole. One farmer residing two miles east of Independence had sown three acres of wheat, and preparing to harrow it in, when the pigeons made their appearance and gobbled up every kernel before he could get it covered. Some fields containing forty acres were covered with pigeons, and, although the sportsmen was an incessant warfare against them, and killed great numbers, their places were soon supplied with others. Hunting pigeons has lost the charm of novelty, and the main question is how to save the grain."

June 6, 1867. Farmer's Cabinet 65(46): 1.

Pigeons Spoiling Crop Fields in Wisconsin

The Wood County (Wis.) Reporter says: "Farmers are complaining bitterly of the damage done by the millions of pigeons which have made headquarters at or near Friendship, and make marauding expeditions every morning with the regularity and certainty of a Sherman bummer. Fields of wheat are being completely spoiled, and all grain sowed is as good as lost to the husbandman. — Hundreds of flocks may be seen every morning flying to the northwest to feed on the acorns of the oak forests in the western portion of the county, and returning with the approach of night."

The Waupaca County (Wis.) Republican says that the pigeons are spoiling the wheat fields. They dig up wheat by the acre.

May 24, 1871. The pigeons. Madison Observer 50(2571): 2.

Pigeons Pulling Corn From Fields in New York

We understand that great destruction has been occasioned in the cornfields of our county, by the immense flocks of pigeons, which pull the corn. In many fields the crop has been utterly destroyed. As the pigeons eat the corn, the only redress the farmers can have, is, to eat the pigeons. Now is the time sportsmen! Out with your double barrels and old Continental pieces, and scour the fields. — Fredonia Censor.

Just so about here. Many of the farmers have planted their corn ground's twice, and each time it having been carried off by the pigeons, they have abandoned the attempt, and use the ground for other purposes. Indeed so bold have they become that no sooner is a hill planted than a score stand ready to scratch it up. Powder and shot, scarecrows, poison, boys and men are insufficient to protect the cornfields. — Randolph Whig.

Some of our farmers have planted their fields for the fourth time, and the pigeons have promptly taken it up.

Issued June 18, 1856. Pigeons pulling corn. Westfield Republican 2(9): 3.