Rain Event Suppresses Avian Activity at Bluebird Shack

The rain on Wednesday started soon after what would have been sunrise time. It was a steady downpour spread across the creek valley and beyond, and certainly too much to venture forth via a bicycle. Despite an intent to attend a public hearing on a Nebraska legislative resolution.

Rain continued during the entire 22nd day of September. Usual antics and activities of the local birdlife were not seen.

Species that should have been around were several Eastern Bluebird, a few Mourning Dove, a bunch of House Finch and perhaps a glimpse or two of other sorts of birds.

It was late in the afternoon until the first American Robin was seen, perched individually on a power line outside the north window. During the hour, a Northern Flicker with variable feather coloration flew across the canyon. Even the diminutive and resident House Wren was not vividly skulking amidst the weeds about the corrals to its usual extent.

Drop by drop, the falling water continued unceasingly, with a continual patter on the roof of the shack.

Before evening, some other bird types seen were a Clay-colored Sparrow and a Lincoln's Sparrow. An American Crow deliberately flying south was the only dark spot against the shades of gray sky.

At 7 p.m. there was a complete rainbow in the eastern sky, so obviously some sunlight was shining somewhere.

Got sort of drenched cleaning up about the shack and while taking the trash can down the lane to Lake Shore Drive so it would be suitably placed for the ca. 6 a.m. arrival of the working man.

Rain continued after the time of official sunset, meaning the result was more than a dozen hours of continual precipitation. And then came some lightning and thunder, notably about 8:40 p.m., even though some faux clearing sky was seen to the west. Using the folklofe axiom to consider the distance of the rumblings, the weather was about ten miles west in Cherry county. A few minutes later another duo of a thunderstorm occurred, again to the south.

Counting a number for each second and then using division is only an approximation is just approximate, but it can still be indicative.

With lightning and thunder at 9;25 and drizzle the storm seemed to be lessening. Yet, by 10:30 p.m. there was a steady downpour with the falling drops enough to rouse a guy from his sleep in the bluebird shack.

A known tally for the locale was 3.58 inches in the nearby heart city. Further to the south, 30 minutes according to the pen man, there fell 7 inches.

In the morning on the 24th, there was a bunch of birds about, with moisture in the air either as a fog or slightly bit of active drizzle.

A new addition to the bird list was a male Indigo Bunting. There were a bunch of House Finch, as usual. Several Eastern Bluebird were subtly vocalizing as perched above the shack. One, on the wire, had a green worm-type bug it was going to devour. After thrashing it against the wire a couple of times, it finally wrapped the prey around the wire, as if waiting for it to be well done. The juvenile bluebird was still not satisfied so the edible was grabbed and tossed about and placed back on the wire. It was not a good choice, as the bug fell to the ground. The somewhat blue bird did not follow so the food item was lost. This bird was later seen nearby going after something else to eat.

A diminutive Eastern Phoebe perched on the fence, looking for a bit to eat. There was a bunch of activity going on.

Other typical species of the morning included American Goldfinch, a flock of House Finch, the raucous Blue Jay, and Mourning Dove on the wire. The House Wren was much more active.

After a jaunt, following a hard ride, and after the stop at the stupid library, and, at the auction barn, it was a soaked place. When it began to drizzle about the noon hour, there was a joke about the rain would help "settle the dust." The pens were already drenched, so Shirley's comment was an obvious paradox of commentary.

It was beneath grey lead skies and drizzle that my return to the shack occurred. The place was not welcoming in the afternoon due to efforts to "tidy up."

---

Information from the National Weather Service office conveys:

"Officially at the airport on September 23, the total precipitation in Valentine was 3.58 inches. This shattered the daily record 0.66 inches set in 1941. This also set the record for wettest any September day. The previous record was 2.92 inches set on September 1, 1909. Finally this was the 4th wettest calendar day every recorded. The wettest day was 4.00 inches set on May 25, 1920."

Sky-Rockets Among Pigeons at Cleveland

A few days since, while the wild pigeons were flying in innumerable quantities over the city, Mr. Geo. N. Baker, proprietor of the pyrotechnics establishment at the corner of Perry and Superior street, thought he would see what effect his fire-works would have upon the feathered tribe, and upon trial discovered a new field for sporting gentlemen to humor their fancy. Just as a large flock approached he sent hissing through their midst a half dozen heavy rockets, producing a wild and irrepressible consternation; at once the vast flock would change its course, while the greatest number would come down within a few yards of the ground, wandering about in wild confusion. One heavy rocket bursting just before a large flock and shooting out its hundred fiery, hissing serpents, had the effect to send the whole brood flying upwards until it was lost to the sight. In many instances large numbers, diving in wild confusion to the earth, were captured by boys in the neighborhood, who together with many people who happened to be on the ground enjoyed the sport as peculiar original and well worthy 'The Spirit of the Times.' — Cleveland Plaindealer.

April 5, 1860. Sky-Rockets among pigeons. Jeffersonian 19(13): 1. Also April 4, 1860 in the Daily Dispatch, issued at Richmond Virginia.

Pigeon Roost Story

By J.F.L. Written for the Plymouth Weekly Democrat.

'It sounds more like the sounds that greet your ear when you enter Mrs. Raymond's parlors on the night of one of her grand assemblies, than anything else; but stay, here seems to be a road, as least it feels like one under one's feet.'

'Let's take it — which way?'

'Stop, I have an idea!' said I.

'And what is it?' said Wadley.

'Why, lets feel for the north side of a tree.'

'Do what?'

'The north side of a tree, you know, is the roughest.'

'A bright idea, I think' said Phil.

But our idea was better in theory than in practice: we examined a dozen trees; I've done it in day-time — but by feeling we could not discern north from south — devil a bit — so we took one way hap hazard. On we went, a mile or more, Wadley having the lead.

'Wadley,' said I, 'the roar of the pigeons is receding from us; we have got out of the roost, and have gone wrong: we had better retrace our steps.'

'I don't — ooh!' and his answer was broken off by a loud splash.

'What is the matter?'

'Oh, I am — the Lord knows where — drowned in a quagmire — oh, help! — every step sinks me deeper!'

'Goodness, man, come back this way,' said I, not daring to budge an inch for fear of getting into it myself.

Just at that moment, as if by magic, the moon burst out in a little blue spot from the misty canopy of clouds which enshrouded her — the first time she had made her appearance the night long, and revealed to us a small rocky heath covered with haws, crab-apples, briers and sedge, with a swampy stream running the middle of it. I beheld my friend Wadley standing in it up to his middle, and myself on the very brink of it. Phil now found his way out without any difficulty, and no damage but the accession of a wet and muddy pair of inexpressibles. I happened to know the spot we had walked a couple of miles the wrong way, when a hundred rods in the other direction would have carried us right into the camp.

There was nothing to do, however, but for us to retrace our steps, which we did, but had hardly drawn near to the roar of the roost, when the moon left us to shift four ourselves again. Grateful for what she had done, we groped in silence for some distance.

'Wadley,' said I, after a long and insidious travel in the dark, 'we surely have gone more than two miles!'

'Nigher five, by my reckoning,' he responded, in a despondent voice.

'Ah! I see a bright spot in the heavens — it is so, the moon is coming out again.' And as I spoke, the silver glimmering orb burst forth in her bright effulgence, and scudded merrily through the twickering twigs of the high trees.

The dark masses of pigeons were piled up in the trees around till scarce a bough was visible, and some trees bent to the very ground with their encumbrance; the thousands that whirled and fluttered through the air in every direction, were now distinctly visible, and presented a singular and wild scene.

'Angels and ministers o' grace defend us,' cried Wadley in my ear — 'yonder's a veritable ghost, Jack, sure as shootin'.'

'Where?' said I, somewhat hurriedly.

'Look, under yonder tree — that thing! Did you ever see such an object since the day you was born?'

'Bless me! what can it be?'

It was a white, roundish object, of no particular shape, and very frightful to betold. Phil and I cautiously drew towards it, and we found it to possess some faint resemblance to a human being, apparently asleep or dead.

'By all that's funny, it's Fred, as I live,' cried Phil, going up and giving it a punch with his gun-butt, that brought him to his feet instanter.

'Hay-yo! good Mr. Devil, don't stick your pitchfork into me so strong. Lord! I thought I was dead! Who's here — thieves! help! murder! — Out, ya cut-purses, or I'll show you what virtue there is in a musket ball,' and Fred raised his gun to his shoulder. I knocked it up.

'Why, Fred, is that the way you treat your friends?'

'Friends! What! boys, is it you? Dear me, I am exceedingly astonished! Devilish glad to see you. By all the kettles in Lucifer's kitchen, I thought I was a gone sinner, and had given myself up to die here in the woods. Run me through a carding machine, or a cotton gin, but may I never be dragged through a pigeon-roost again!'

'Why, what's the matter, Fred?' I asked, choked with laughter at his ludicrous appearance and rueful countenance.

'Matter!' he growled angrily, 'I've spent the night in Tophet, that's all.'

'Ha, ha, Lem, — beg pardon, Fred, but what have you done with your nether integuments?'

Fred was not an Adonis in shape when he had his Sunday's on; but the figure he now cut was inconceivably comical. He was literally covered with mud, blood and feathers, with a dash of green slime where he had fallen into some mud-hole. His coat had not a rag of tail left, and his other vestments seemed to be nothing but rags, while of his trousers nothing remained but the waistband, and a few streamers attached thereto; his top boots and Kilmarnock nightcap being the only integral garments I could observe about him. The ooze and pigeon feathers which covered him, looked as if he had undergone a sentence from Judge Lynch. He stepped out ruefully, and cast a dolorous glance at his plight, as he shouldered his musket, which we now discovered was blown to pieces, with little but the stock remaining. Flesh and blood could stand it no longer, and Wadley burst into a paroxysm of laughter.

'You may laugh, my friends, but if you had gone through what I have, you would not have much inclination that way. All this blessed night have I traversed this infernal roost from one end of it to the other : devil of a soul did I see the whole time, though they were shooting all around me. Whenever I saw a flash from a gun, I made right for it, hallooing with all my might; but no use, I couldn't find anybody. The infernalish hag-ridden, which possessed race I have had, tearing and sweating through the bushes, crawling through briers and thorns, and falling into mudholes and quagmires until I am as sore as if I had been dragged over a hemp-hackle. Finalyy, I found this bed of leaves, occupied by an old son; I drove her out and took possession, determining to rest my bones here till morning. In falling over a bush, my old musquitoen went off and bursted to flinders. It is a great wonder I didn't get killed, or at least seriously hurt; but fortune favored me that time.'

By this time the moon was shining as bright as day, and after our mirth had somewhat subsided, we found a puddle, where Wadley removed some of the filth and mud that encumbered him, and we continued our route campward.

Half an hour's walk brought us all three to the camp, where we found no one awake but Jim Davis, who seemed to be acting sentry. Bob and Oren were both far journeying in the land of Nod, and Jim's eyes did not look half an hour high. While Fred and Phil were relating to him their adventures, I made a rigorous attach on the comestibles, finding my appetite whetted very keen by my ramble. After devouring in indifinite quantity of sandwiches, roast potatoes, and porter, I finished with a cigar, and took a look around : found all snoring away, each in a different key, like a concert of bullfrogs in a swamp — except Joe, who had finished his nap, and was martyring a squab, feathers, inside and all, on the end of a stick over the fire. The trees and the fire began to dance and glimmer and spangle in my eyes, and as Bob says, the next thing I knew I didn't know nothin'.

It was scarce breaking day, when I was aroused by Oren and Wadley to go out and shoot some birds with them; now was the best time, as the pigeons were some of them taking a short nap; and as most of the firing had ceased, there was not so much to distrust them. It was just light enough for us to distinguish the dark masses of birds; we could now shoot with a better aim, and we made great havoc among them, bagging nearly three hundred in a very short time.

'I say, Jack,' quoth Oren, as it grew a little lighter, 'I wish I had a looking glass.'

'What for?' said I.

'I want to show you your face, what with dirt, burnt gunpowder, blood and feathers, I don't think Miss Nancy would be tempted to kiss you this morning. I beseech you to take a squint at your trousers in the meantime; a rag merchant would have turned up his nose at them in disgust.'

'Bah! they are nothing to Phil Wadley's here — he is in real Arkansas costume — nothing but his boots and the waistband of his drawers.'

'But just see here — magnificent!"

We had just risen a little hillock, when the sun loomed up from his cloud couch, and shown on a scene of splendor truly indescribable. We had ceased firing some minutes before, and all was still as death.

The eminence overlooked a vast forest-plain, the bright rays of the rising sun beaming in level lines of light from the blue hazy horizon upon that scene, and every tree and every limb and every twig in that forest, almost as far as the eye could reach, covered and bending down with the graceful and repeating forms of the wild pigeons; their gorgeously-tinted, gold-burnished breast glittering in the sunbeams, — one vast panoply of green and purple gold spread over the whole forest as if by the wand of a magician. Word cannot convey the superb beauty of the scene. Each tree, and taken in a view the whole landscape, was but one mass of sparkling plumage. An hour after, what a contrast! As the sun mounted higher, battalion after battalion took wing and hied away in every direction, and the trees, which were before absolutely trodden by the weight of legions of birds that swarmed in their branches, now presented a scene of desolation. They are crushed, mangled in every direction; some with their trunks snapped off like pipe stems, and hundreds with every branch stripped off. If a hurricane had passed over, it would not have left a more naked and desolate scene behind.

Not a living things to be seen, save a few poses and wild hogs devouring the dead birds that lie scattered over the ground, the victims of the sportsmen or the fall of trees and branches, and a huge goshawk here and there, or an eagle, soaring over the scene of carnage. The darkness and the bushes cause the sportsman to leave half of his birds on the ground, and the wild hogs absolutely get fat on them.

As we returned from the roost, we presented even a more unique company that in going; so much so, that aunt Sally set the dogs on us when we rode up to the yard gate.

The End.

February 20, 1862. The pigeon roost. Plymouth Weekly Democrat 3(4): 1, new series.

An Uncommon Incident at Dubuque

On Sunday morning, says the Dubuque Express of the 11th inst. while the steamboat Rapids was lying at our landing, working off steam, a wild pigeon flew directly over the escape pipe, just after the puff had blown off, when the air partially returning, drew the pigeon into the pipe, and down into the valve so that it became closed. From this position it could not be dislodged till the escape pipe was unscrewed and taken off. Several persons on the landing saw the bird fly in, and the cause of the difficulty thus became immediately known, otherwise it is possible that an explosion may have been the consequence. — St. Louis Rep.

July 6, 1843. An uncommon incident. New York Daily Tribune 3(75): 4.

Early History the Celebrated Belled Buzzard

Nearly two centuries ago, some folks found an unescapable buzzard and decided — for whatever sort of reason — that a small bell should be affixed upon the bird. The event was a unique and pivotal event, especially about the eastern states — especially once the bird took flight to ring its way along.

Sightings of a belled buzzard eventually became a distinctive facet of lore for the history of ornithology. Occurrences of the tinkling bird(s) became prominent in the eastern states, according to the numerous accounts as obviously noted in many newspapers of the era.

Original accounts occur in the 1870s, but there are anecdotes from earlier times.

"Local history has it that the buzzard was captured and belled by pioneer residents shortly after the war of 1812." — denoted the Jasper News 25(5): 8, as issued from the Missouri town, though the event occurred elsewhere. Though this record is from many decades after the first observation of a buzzard thus marked, it does indicate some perspective for a first known occurrence.

One account noted the extent of survival for a belled buzzard, in the vicinity of Paris, Kentucky:

"For several years a belled buzzard has been seen flying over a dozen counties in this section of the state, and had frequently been reported in the southern part of the state, 150 miles from here. The other day three lads, Willie Hall, Kenney Nicholas and Wilmot Kenney, of this place, captured the bird. It had been strapped to its neck by a piece of rawhide a small brass bell on which was engraved 'Atlanta, Ga., April 21, 1865.' The bird had gorged itself on a carcass near by and couldn't fly. After detaining it for a few hours they permitted it to fly away again." — Omaha Daily Bee 18(188): 2, issued on December 19, 1888.

An South Carolina account provides an original view from the latter 1870s.

"A few weeks since a strange sight was presented to a farmer living in the vicinity of Branchville in this wise: A dead pig lay in a field close by his house whose scent attracted a very large buzzard. A little girl in passing had her attention drawn to the spot where the pig was by the ringing of a bell. Upon examination she discovered that the bell was hung to the birds neck. She repaired at once to the house and informed her father of the fact, who immediately went in quest of the novel spectacle. To his surprise he found what his daughter had said to be true. The buzzard was belled, and when frightened flew off with the bell ringing in the air." — Orangeburg News and Times 10(50): 3, February 3, 1877.

The news item was then subsequently noted in Georgia, as reported by the Chronicle and Sentinel.

An 1881 report from Texas was contributed by R.H. Floyd:

"Richardson, Dallas County, December 12. — In your issue of October 28 you stated that a belled buzzard had been seen in the neighborhood of Captain Westbrook's, on Cow bayou, and again in your last issue (December 9) you state that it is now 'circulating around Howard and Stampede, across the Bell county line.' I will state that Mr. Chris. Huffhines, of this place, about the 15th of October, caught a buzzard in a steel trap, and tied a small bell around it and turned it loose. The buzzard flew off to the southwest, and I presume it is the same buzzard that has been 'worrying' the people of Bell county. Mr. Huffhines claims the buzzard, and wishes the citizens of Bell county notified of his claim through your paper."

In early March of 1884, a belled buzzard was noted near Taylorsville, Pennsylvania:

"The story of the celebrated bird is an interesting one. Nearly two years ago it was a pet in a barnyard of a farmer named Freeman in Paulding county. One of his children one day attached a sheep bell to the bird's foot and the tinkling sound so scared it that it immediately flew away. The first night out is alighted on the roof of a negro cabin in Heard county. One of the inmates went out to ascertain the cause of the bell ringing, and immediately the buzzard rose from its perch, and flew away. The night was clear and cold, and as the inmates rushed out and beheld a great black object and hear the tinkling of the bell hundreds of feet in the air, great fear seized the. They all took to their knees under the impression that the end of the world was at hand. Ever since the bird has pursued its migrations through the State arousing the fears of the superstitious, who regard its visits as omens of evil. The negroes and many whites, too, along the track of the late storm insist that they heard the fateful bell before the terrible wrath of the wind had come upon them." — Lancaster Daily Intelligencer

The last paragraph of the story presented some additional historic details, with different specifics. This particular account noted that in 1867 an buzzard had been belled in Putnam County, and up until 1889, when his presence was last reported in Green County, he was vouched for as having visited points as west as Meridian, Miss., and several northern counties of Tennessee. Other newspaper accounts with basically the same text, gave years of 1817 and 1850, respectively for when the bird got belled and was still being heard. The account made its way to the desert southwest, being included on the pages of the Arizona Silver Bell, issued at Globe City.

During the summer of that year, a short notice indicated a buzzard was ringing "its bell quite lively at the farm of John Davis and other places last week and afforded considerable interest and amusement to the young people as well as the old. This buzzard seems to lead a charmed life and it is hoped no one will attempt to destroy it." the Lancaster Daily Intelligencer

States of the east are known for more occurrences of these birds. With the widespread and seemingly continual reports, it would appear there was more than just one buzzard ringing along its way.

"Messrs William Hales and Sam. Hulett caught a buzzard and put a bell on it. Anyone hearing 'music in the air' need not become alarmed and join the Millerites." — an item in the local news for Antioch, as published in the May 16, 1885 issue of the Frankfort Roundabout 8(35): 4.

It apparently wasn't enough to have a buzzard flying around with a bell. There had to be derivatives, which add to the folk's lore:

"Some of the boys of White Rock, Little Britain township, captured a turkey buzzard last Saturday in a cave along the Octoraro and in order to coin a new species of the avis tribe painted its feathers alternate stripes of white and yellow and let it go. He will make a companion for the belled and Everhart's buzzards" — May 27, 1885, Lancaster Daily Intelligencer 21(227): 4 issued in Pennsylvania.

The following spring, "a buzzard with a bell has been creating a sensation on Pleasant Run, scaring horses and creating panics among flocks of sheep. Even the other buzzards are afraid of the one with the bell, and when it approaches they retire to a safe distance and allow it to feed in solitary state." — attributed to the Lebanon Standard as published on May 26, 1886 in the Daily Evening Bulletin 5(157):3 of Maysville, Kentucky.

An account of the marked buzzard in early spring of 1887 provides these details:

"Advices that have reached us, state that the belled buzzard that has been spoken of in the south for years and which was recently seen in this county, was shot the other day by J.C. Corrington at Tunis, Texas. The bell was well toned, of brass, and about two and a half inches across the base. It was hung to the bird by a copper wire, twisted around the neck. There was no chafing, the skin being protected by an abundance of down; '1879' was scratched on the narrow, flat top of the bell. The last heard of the bird was in Virginia, a short time ago, and it was presumably on its way south at the time. The constantly recurring visits of the birds to this locality have been a standing local for a number of years and it is a matter of great regret that we will not, in the future, be able to chronicle the wanderings of the bird. " — from the Centreville (Md.) Observer as published in the Alexandria Gazette 88(51): 4, issued on March 2, 1887.

Though this report is from Texas as attributed to an eastern newspaper, another report from Texas in January 1888, provides further details of occurrence in the northern part of that southern state.

"Some two or three years ago a buzzard was caught and belled in one of the northwestern states. It was seen in northern Texas last year. On Thursday last it was seen again on the farm of Mr. J.M. Nicholson, near Chappell Hill. It is supposed to be the same buzzard, as there is no account of any other being belled. Let us see now where it will be heard from next."

This report may have referred to a buzzard in the northeastern states.

The newspapers which were the source of these accounts are available at the Chronicling American website, with many subsequent stories through 1922 available for perusal. A search option allows quick access to items of particular interest. Additional — and more recent accounts from even modern history — can be appreciated by doing an internet search of online content and alternative newspaper archives, including those which are pay-for-a-view.

Buzzard Considerations

Consensus regarding the identification of the belled buzzard is that it was a vulture, according to the chronicles. Facets of the bird's behavior support this contention, as it was seen roosting prominently, taking advantage of dead animal carcasses, and readily found and accessible for attaching a bell, which may have been during the period when the species was nesting and the juvenile bird(s) could not fly. The term buzzard has also been used to refer to species' of hawk, though their young are raised in tree nests and fledglings are somewhat less likely to be so easily approached.

Whether it was one of two species of vulture is not at all apparent. Potentially it may have been the Black Vulture, or perhaps the Turkey Vulture. The belled buzzard could have been either species of vulture, with each having a seasonal range in the states where accounts of occurrence were reported. A mention of the turkey buzzard would indicate an attribution to the latter species.

Although somewhat vague, notes of the bell burdened buzzards also indicate the longevity of the birds which certainly attracted attention. Multiple instances are recorded, but if a particular buzzard occurred within a region, some of the accounts spanned a relatively long period of time, indicating the many year which a buzzard would live. Birds found with a date scribed on the bell they carried, are more notably accurate in defining the period the bird endured with its unwanted attachment.

Whatever the actual specifics, the many details available provide an extensive history which establishes an ongoing legacy of the belled buzzard. What a special history, so completely unique in the ornithological history. That it continues to be presented — even in current times — is an indication of an enduring legacy originating from someone's quirky perspective while in the presence of a wild buzzard, while having a bell readily accessible.

Mystery Bird Described by Canadian Held Captive By Indians

In the memoirs of a young man born in Quebec, Canada, an unusual and notable species was described in his account of the birds noted during a decade of living in the northern wilderness.

Charles Dennis Rusoe D'Eres was only fourteen when taken by troops of the fledgling freedom movement for the United States. His fate for the next decade was sealed when he was traded and became a captive of Indians in December 1874.

In the subsequent months, him and his captors left Fort Michilimakinak, at the entrance of Lake Superior, on many days travel to the Indians village.

Although the memoirs are very vague on details of geography, the Red River is mentioned. Going southward from there, the party of travelers reached the Rontooroo River, which by some scholars is possibly the Minnesota River.

It was here that the group reached the home village of the Scanyawtauragahrooote on an island by the same name. D'Eres was to remain their captive for eleven years, being a blacksmith using the abandoned building and tools from a structure built by a Spaniard some years earlier.

Other notable places mentioned in the narrative include the Tartarrac, a very wide and deep river, which was used for canoe travel to a town of the Spaniards, in order to trade.

The events of the tribe, including buffalo hunts, forays for war with neighbouring tribes, and other goings are mentioned.

Towards the end of the memoirs, in an appendix, is a section titled "Of Their Birds." Here are given a few details of the birds common in the country about Scanyawtauragahrooote Island.

The species list:

"BLACK-BIRD, *Blue-Jay, *Crane, *Crow, *Cuckoo, *Duck, *Eagle, *Fish-Hawk, *Goose, *Hawk, Humming-Bird, *King-Bird, *Lark, *Loon, *Martin, *Night-Hawk, *Owl, *Parrot, *Partridge, *Pellican, *Pigeon, *Quail, *Raven, *Robin, *Snipe, *Stork, *Swallow, *Teal, *Thrush, *Turkey, Wacon-Bird, *Water-hen, Whetsaw, *Whippoorwill,*Woodpecker & *Wren are to be met with in all parts of this country during the summer months.
"Those marked thus * are so common in this country, that a particular description of them in this work would be but to remind almost every reader of what he is already fully acquainted with; I would just observe that they are found in the greatest perfection in the Indian country. The Goose and Turkey are not domesticated by the natives of the land, but in a wild state and in great plenty."

Then there is the mystery bird...

"The Wacon-Bird is nearly the size of the swallow, of a brown colour, shaded about the neck with a bright green; the wings are of a darker brown than the body - its tail is composed of four or five feathers beautifully shaded with green and purple, and is three times as long as its body, it carries this length of plumage in the same manner as the Peacock does, but does not raise it into an erect position - the name of this bird signifies the bird of the great spirit, and is held in great veneration by the Indians, and treated by them as a bird of superior rank to any of the feathered race."

Although there is no apparent identification of the spirit bird, there is some speculation on its identity. This is what Elliott Coues - the U.S. Geologist at the time - says in his biographical appendix to the Birds of the Colorado Valley, published in 1878.

"The description of the latter is not reconcilable with any known species, but, in the light of other accounts of the same bird, may be doubtfully considered a hint of Milvulus forficatus."

There is also another native term mentioned:

"The Whetsaw is of the Cuckoo kind, is a solitary bird, and rarely to be met with in the summer months - 'tis heard in the groves; its noise founds like the whetting of a saw, from whence it receives its name."

The "whetsaw" is identified as being Coccygus erythrophthalmus?

D'Eres also wrote about the hummingbird...

The Humming bird is peculiar to America, and is not known in any other part of the globe; 'tis the smallest of the feathered airy inhabitants - its legs are proportionally small to its body, and are not biger than two small needles - its plumage exceeds description - it has a small tuft on its head of a shining black - its breast is red - the belly white - the back, wings and tail a pale green - small specks of a gold cast are scattered over the whole body - an almost imperceptible down softens the colours, and produces the most pleasing shades - with its bill, which is proportionably small to its body, it extracts moisture from flowers, which is its nourishment; over which it hovers like a Bee, without lighting, constantly moving its wings with such velocity, that the motion is imperceptible; this quick motion causeth a humming noise, from whence it receives its name.

His memoirs of the years in the wilderness were written once D'Eres returned to the towns and cities of Canada and the new United States of America in 1787. He arrived first after Detroit, after going from tribe to tribe on his journey to return to Euro-American settlements. Thereafter, he reunited with his family in the Quebec area, but soon left and entered the U.S., got married and then moved to Spencer, up in the New England region, and took his place in civilization, working as a blacksmith.

An annotation by Coues - and renditions by other's that have studied this narrative - indicate:

"Field says of our author that 'his narrative is at all events little better than a fiction.'"

Whatever scholars may say to depict D'Eres recollections, his brief notations about one especially notable species certainly adds an interesting bit of lore to the history of ornithology.