Medical Center Installs Window Screen to Reduce Martin Deaths

On Friday, June 21st, Nebraska Medicine had window screens installed on the glass of a skywalk at the Midtown Martin Mecca.

The unique screening was placed on the west side of the skywalk between Kiewit Hall and the Doctor's Building south.

"It is a unique privilege to have these beautiful birds stop here on their migratory journey," said Taylor Wilson, senior media relations coordinator for Nebraska Medicine. "Although we have no role in them choosing to pay us a yearly visit, we want to be as respectful of their presence as possible and to do everything we can to protect them from harm while they are here. If this covering is effective in reducing the number of strikes, we will obviously look closely at doing the same thing" at the skywalk between Kiewit Hall and Clarkson Hospital.

"Obviously, caring for our patients is our number one priority, but we really do want to make things as safe as possible for these birds," Wilson said.

Staff of Nebraska Medicine regularly monitor the skywalk. Wilson and others, "pass through the area quite frequently during the day to make sure we don¹t have any disabled birds," he said.

The window screening was installed by Mike and Nick of Renze Display. They mentioned that it is probably their first installation done in order to protect migratory birds.

The screen put in place was a custom design, digitally printed on a clear window film. "We can print "any design using the digital print process," they said.

While at the work-site, several people walking past made positive comments about the screening, with some saying it looks much better than the banners, which had been in place. One comment overheard was "that's nice" by a woman as she walked past. There was some ancillary words heard that conveyed an appreciation for doing something to help bring an end to birds striking the glass.

If properly cared for, this type of screening should last more than five years, the screen installers said.

Pictures taken during a mid-day visit to the skywalk on Friday.

Evening Visitors to the Roost

On Friday evening there were about 90 people present to watch the approximate 35,000 martins at the roost. On Thursday, there were about 75 people looking to the sky as they appreciated the spectacle of the Purple Martins.

Saturday Evening Appreciation of Roosting Martins

Any evening that a tasty cookie can be enjoyed while watching a bird spectacle, it is a good time. That was the case on Saturday evening, August 15th at the midtown martin roost.

There was a congregation of about 25,000 Purple Martins and a wonderful human crowd as well. It was a mix of bird watching amidst a community, with wonderful conversation.

People present included Loren and Babs, Justin, Bob and Tad, Nancy with her notebook and of course, Tisha with the cookies. There were members and leaders of the Omaha Youth Birding Group also present.

Also about was an animal that snagged the dead grackle and then moved along to eat the dead bird, which is the basics of the cycle of life. It moved so fast into the bushes to the east that no picture could be taken. Perhaps it was hungry.

There was also a pair of Peregrine Falcons seen on the scene. These are some sort of pictures, as taken during the time at the Nebraska Medical Center campus. It was certainly a grand evening, in many ways!

Not sure what the birds thought. So many Purple Martins which are the star attraction. Multitudes as well of starlings and grackles that also know this important bird place.

Yet there was death at the scene. These two images convey the reality which the Nebraska Medical Center is ignoring.

A smashed grackle beneath the walkway at the Nebraska Medical Center, midtown. August 15, 2015.

Smashed Purple Martin beneath the walkway at the Nebraska Medical Center, midtown. August 15, 2015.

The Nebraska Medical Center needs to take responsibility for the deaths of birds at their facilities. There is one word which is appropriate ... mitigation. If birds die, do something positive in response. They should purchase a martin house and have it placed at a place where adults can successfully raise young.

Urban Skunk Eats Dead Martins at Midtown Roost

It was a complete surprise to see a vividly marked Striped Skunk hurry across 44th Street just south of Farnam Street as dusk was happening on Friday evening, July 7th. It was obviously in a hurry because to do otherwise, it would nothing more than a splotch on the street, after getting run over by some vehicle, perhaps some Omaha emergency responder rig with all of their lights and colorful paint.

The critter knew that beneath the trees of the roost, there might be something edible. Anything edible is a meal as the species is an "opportunistic omnivore and eats both plant and animal foods."

On Friday, there were at least three tasty carcasses to gnaw on.

This is the progression as experienced on a saucy Friday evening. While watching the gathering starlings, grackles and martins, the skunk was drastically apparent in black-and-white as it ran west to east across 44th Street. Its route could be easily seen as it moved about looking for an evening meal beneath the trees of the birds roosts. Birds always die and gravity dictates that there might be a carcass for a meal on the grounds beneath the limbs.

The skulking skunk in its distinct manner, needed to be given some special attention. Not only for its beautiful coloration but for its unique occurrence. Wandering in my own way to its space among the landscaping or habitat if that word is more preferential, at least one picture was suitable for presentation.

During my foray, moving along, beneath the skywalk between the Clarkson Tower and Kiewit Tower (or hall, whatever it is as the vicinity signs do not convey the same thing), there were three Purple Martin carcasses. The fine for dead Purple Martins is $500 each, payable to a conservation group working to conserve the species. Within 15 days, the Nebraska Medical Center will be late in their payment, so a late fee of 10% every 15 days also may need to be assessed so they realize that they are responsible to what they have wrought.

The carcasses were forlorn, lying in the grass as dead bits of what was once lovely featheration. The fatalities were not known until my arrival, but henceforth are will not be forgotten. Pictures were taken for documentary purposes.

Who makes the decisions on creating structures where birds die, again and again? Most architects are oblivious and only interested in facades for their glory, rather than creating an environmentally safe building. What is the responsibility for those whose task is to conserve wild birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act? Apparently some government officials think it is just easier to do nothing. Consider especially the the Federal Worthless Service and the state agency responsible for nongame bird management. These are ponderings of the day.

More importantly, the skunk was walking about in the shadows of the evening, near the building of an uncertain name.

At bit further in the short distances associate with urban place, nothing was done where these birds died. There were a couple on the skywalk a a few steps to the north.

Rather than have the carcasses be dealt with as trash by medical center employees, they were each carefully picked up, by their feet, considered as a fatality due to thoughtless building design, and taken away to a nearby place. That skunk was still looking for food and it received something to eat, very easily, rather than having to search. Within a minute or two after sharing the dead purple martins by tossing them near the place where the skunk sulked as it made its own way trying to be safe, the result was obvious.

In the cycle of nature, the skunk grabbed a carcass and had a days' hearty meal perhaps, something to help it carry on. It would hopefully find the other two birds to feed on, just afterwards, as they were closely nearby.

It might be an utter travesty to post this account, because once the "rulers of landscape" at the Nebraska Medical Center they have resident skunks, they will descend with all of their might with a purpose to eradicate. The animals just wants to survive. Many other people want to destroy, and they will certainly convey that anything done is in the interest of safety.

It is simply sad! Skunks and other urban critters struggles to live. Officials with big houses, large cars and hefty paychecks work to lessen the values of urban nature in Omaha through their intent to eradicate.

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There were two skunks individually seen on Saturday night on the 8th, searching for suitable food. As noticed, a rabbit dead on the lawn on the west side of 44th Street, was moved to the east side and amidst some bushes, so the two black-and-white skunks could have something to eat as they strive to survive. Tom and Tammy enjoyed see the animals, too, as we discussed the situation.

The probable prognosis: any animals of black-and-white will likely be eradicated!

Hospital workers saw the mammals, pointing and gesticulating as they were smoking on a campus where smoking is not allowed.

My time was spent enjoying the company of Tom and Tammy, two dedicated martin watchers and the only ones to ever bring a tasty, fresh pie to share in the first years of the roost.

The two skunks were given a dead rabbit for their evening's feast. It was across the street in an exposed place, so moved elsewhere so they could get something to eat without any obvious disturbance. The rabbit was dead anyway, so it was just another example of continuing the cycle of life through sharing.

Hopefully the skunks were satisfied with the meal and felt some comfort for at least this night of theirs.

Medical Center Places Banners on Roost Skywalk

With the number of Purple Martins increasing at their midtown roost, a visit was made to the facilities management office of the Nebraska Medical Center to ask about placing the banners on the skywalk.

A request was left with the staff in the office on Monday morning. The banners were not there Monday evening but were in place on Tuesday morning. The attention to this matter is personally appreciated and will hopefully help birds avoid any collisions with the glass of the skywalk.

Number are increasing at the roost, and any evening now is a good time to visit and enjoy the free spectacle of the birds as they gather and swarm and swoop into the roost trees.

Martin sky at the roost on August 3rd. All of the little black specks are Purple Martins.

Few people have been seen appreciating these birds this year.

Future Unknown for Preeminent Omaha Chimney

A realty sign stating the availability for purchase of an midtown property portends an uncertain future for a preeminent Chimney Swift chimney within interurban Omaha.

The sign is placed on the Cuming Street side of the CenturyLink maintenance staff facility, located between there and northward to Izard Street, along 43rd Avenue.

Signage is only indicative of a change of ownership, but any change in the situations associated with the place can have massive ramifications for current uses. Previous values are often unknown by new owners, as they glibly buy a place and make significant renovations amidst their ignorance bliss for improvements to make them money. It might include demolition. It might include a change in the duct works. And it might, most sadly include something that will result in the demise of the chimney as an autumnal roost for Chimney Swifts.

The building was constructed in 1921, and so has been available for swifts to use for decades.

The key feature is the chimney of the structure. Numerous evenings have been spent denoting the number of Chimney Swifts which roost here in the autumn. This place has had more Chimney Swifts roost within the chimney on one evening than any other place at Omaha, based upon hundreds of counts. The peak count known occurred here, with more than 1500 present one evening during the 2014 autumn.

Certainly ... this feature ... this unique aspect and facet of Omaha's bird community, has only received any consideration from one swift watcher's perspective and continual consideration in recent years.

The building's owners have not discerned or learned any particulars associated with the chimney, from what is apparent and not presented anywhere on the company website. The same company has the name rights for the CenturyLink Center Omaha, and any Omaha birder recognizes that place as the most hazardous structure for migratory birds in Omaha.

The most obvious situation is that of ignorance.

What a mistake, as there are so many details to present that convey the multiple thousands of Chimney Swifts which have appreciated a night's haven within this distinctive brick chimney. To lose this place within the city-scape would be a blow to generations of swifts. Destruction of the sizable brick structure would lessen the ability of these birds to find a safe haven during autumn along the Missouri River migration route.

Consider these points, if you might...

It would continue to convey an indifference of Omaha developers and officials about the value of wild birds in the city environs. It would represent a situation where known bird facts are being ignored by city, county and state officials. It would indicate the complete lack of knowledge or support by local conservation groups. It would blithely convey that the annual gathering of swifts may no longer be appreciated by neighborhood residents.

And most importantly, it would not be a place where Chimney Swifts gather as they have for so many of their generations. The adults and young of the year gather and learn. They convey safe places where there might be a haven for some nights. The birds share their knowledge and learn.

It is simply something that would be so wrong in regards to something so important.

Swift Roost Habitat Lost at Church Chimneys

Two eastern Omaha church chimneys capped during 2014 mean a further decline in roosting habitat available as gathering places for Chimney Swifts. The caps were apparently placed atop the chimneys when a new vent was installed in association with a renovation of the HVAC system.

Both churches are Lutheran congregations.

A major loss of roosting habitat occurred at the Pella Lutheran Church at 303 South 41st Street, in the Blackstone District along Farnam Street. Use by swifts was first determined for this locality in the autumn of 2008, when 155 swifts were counted on the evening of October 3rd as they entered the chimney for the night. On August 18, 2012, additional use was recorded. There have certainly been other dates of occurrence.

The Zion Baptist Church at 23rd and Grant, has a lesser known history of use by swifts. About a dozen swifts were present on September 7, 2005. There may have been more extensive use of this structure, but surveys are not often done in this portion of north-eastern Omaha.

There have been numerous examples in the past few years of churches capping their chimneys, including at the Dundee Presbyterian Church along Underwood Avenue near Happy Hollow Boulevard and the Lifegate Church (formerly Central United Presbyterian Church) at 55th and Leavenworth Street, east of Elmwood Park.

Important to Sportsmen of Ulster County

The woods in the Nevesink Valley, in Ulster County, are literally alive with wild pigeons. They first made their appearance in that vicinity in February, but the weather turning very cold, left for other parts, returning as soon as the weather became milder. They now cover an area of about nine miles long by two in width, and have commenced building their nests. In many places they are so thick upon the trees that the boughs break. Thousands have already been killed.

May 4, 1860. Important to sportsmen. New York Daily Tribune 20(5937): 7.

Ten Miles of Pigeons in Western Ulster County

We copy from the Windham (Green Co.) Journal, the following account of a Hunting Expedition in the wilds of Western Ulster — a region of country traversed by ourselves "once in a time," some twenty years ago — drawn thither by the wonderful stories told of trouting in Balsom Lake:

We stated last week that a party of our villagers had started for the Pigeon Encampment on Tuesday afternoon. It is in the town of Denning, Ulster county, on the west branch of the Neversink. The party consisted of Messrs. B.H. Waldron, S.W. Stimpson, Geo. W. Potter, T.D. Traphagen, S.D. Cowles, J.E. Matthews, Edwin Story and Asa Palmer.

They left here at about 2 o'clock, arriving at D.C. Deyo's Westkill, at about 5. After a halt of half an hour, they proceeded to Brownell's Hotel, Shandaken, and up for the night. They left early the next morning, and arrived at the head of Big Indian at about 10 o'clock A.M. Here they left their team and proceeded to cross the mountain on foot a distance of about four miles, to the Hunter's Cabin, around which they found the woods fairly alive with pigeons. The flock is said to be spread over a space of ground some ten miles long and two miles wide.

The trees there are filled with nests in every direction, and the ground is almost covered with eggs and dead pigeons. The hunters shoot into the crowds, and when the birds do not fall within a few steps, they make no effort to find them, but try them again. There was an immense number of hunters on the ground, and when the party from this place came out they met some 150 or 200 persons armed and equipped — for the work of slaughter — who were just "going in."

The country is a perfect wilderness, it being some ten miles through from the settlements in Ulster county, to the settlements in Sullivan. The timber is very large and tall. The west branch of the Neversink is one of the most beautiful streams in the country.

The party encamped one night in the woods, and enjoyed themselves immensely living on broiled pigeons, &c., with nothing to disturb their repose at night save the hootings of one owl, and the barking of few wolves in the distance.

Leaving their encampment on Thursday morning, they returned to the Windham on Friday — having had a pleasant excursion, with no accident to lament, and having captured about 500. Of course the game was liberally divided among the friends of the party, and their being one partridge in the lot, it fell to the share of the printer, with a fine bunch of pigeons for which we return our thanks.

May 16, 1860. Lehigh Register 14(33): 2.

Pigeon Shooting Extraordinary at Devils Hole West Virginia

From the Ritchie County (West Virginia) Press.

We were one of a party of fifteen to visit the famous pigeon roost at "Devil's Hole," on Thursday night, where we witnessed one of the most beautiful sights it has ever been our good fortune to behold. We arrived on the ground about sundown, and had not to wait more than half an hour until the advance guard commenced coming in, which continued until we grew weary and began to inquire it they were not almost all in, our pilot assuring us they had scarcely commenced. By and by the squabs began to increase in numbers and become more frequent, until finally they swelled into a vast cloud, which almost obscured the heavens above us from our view, and flowed down the ravine in a perfect stream, without any cessation, for upward of an hour, accompanied by a noise like the flowing of a mighty river. We were amazed, bewildered; and requested our brother hunter to hold our hat while we would, with open mouth and eyes, and wide extended arms, take in the scenes above us. Finally the rear guard came up, and by the time they had all found a resting place every tree, and bush, and twig was bending beneath their weight, resembling, more than anything else we can call to mind, a swarm of bees settling pon the limb of a tree. The ground was covered with limbs broken off by their weight. We noticed trees as thick as a man's waist broken and beat to the earth, and others entirely uprooted. It was undoubtedly the grandest sight we ever saw. Any one who has never visited a pigeon roost can form no idea of what it is, and he is not expected to credit the stories of those who have been more fortunate than himself. The large flocks that pass over town, which are so much admired by our citizens, are as a single bee in a hive compared to what is seen at a roost. We could advise all lovers of the beautiful who can, to pay a visit before they take their departure South. Another pleasing feature to those who relish rare meat without salt, was the roast in the woods.

Our spoils were three hundred pigeons, and it was not a good night for pigeons either.

November 13, 1866. Waukesha Plaindealer 2(17): 1. Also: March 6, 1867 in Charleston Courier 10(10): 4.

Greene County - Immense Pigeon Roost on James Creek

An extensive pigeon roost exists on James creek, about twelve miles south-east of Springfield. The Patriot says the slaughter of the innocents goes on fearfully there every night. Men go out in Democrat wagons, carrying implements, and come back sober, with sacks of pigeons — bags of pigeons. We have pigeon pies for dinner, broiled pigeons for breakfast, and warmed over for supper. The market price is 25 cents per dozen., with a downward tendency. Barrels, bales, and tons of pigeons are shipped daily for St. Louis. Men have forgotten politics; bolters, for the time being, have respite and nepenthe, and people talk, think and feel only for pigeons.

November 3, 1870. Neighborhood news. Greene county. Bolivar Free Press 3(23): 3.

Miscellaneous Reading - A Georgia Pigeon Roost

The Whole Sky Darkened for Miles With a Pigeon Tornado.

A letter from Clarksville, Georgia to the Germantown Telegraph contains the following graphic account of a Georgia pigeon roosts, which it would, seem eclipsed the Kentucky roost:

This roost occurred in the month of February; the place selected by the pigeons was on the banks of the Chattooga river, near the confluence with the Tugalo, on the eastern line of this county, where the mountains rise abruptly on either side; a wilder and more inaccessible a place could not have been found in the United States. Our party consisted of four persons, all armed with good double-barreled guns and mounted on horseback. We started about three o'clock p.m. for the roost. After fording the Tugalo we skirted along the breakneck sides of the mountain until we came within a half mile or so of the beginning of the roost, which extended over an area of some five miles or more. Here we were obliged to leave our horses and take the rest of the trip on foot. The sun was now about half an hour high, and the pigeons had just begun to come in. As we were high up on the side of the mountains on the west side of the river, our position was an excellent one to see the innumerable flocks as they poured over the mountain tops into the valley. As we did not wish to enter the roost until after sunset, we remained an hour or so viewing the immense host of birds which no man could number; from east to west, north and south they came in flocks of all sizes, roaring and rushing through the air, whirling and sweeping in every direction.

It being our intention to go near the centre of the roost and spend the night there at a camp prepared by an old hunter of the neighborhood, we started as it begun to grow a little dusk, leaving our horses securely tied to saplings. As our camp was on the east side of the Chattonga we forded it on foot, and soon entered the edge of the roost, where there were myriads of pigeons and myriads still coming from every direction. As we were bound for the camp which was still a mile distant, the difficulty was how to get along, as the numbers on the trees were so great that there was a constant crash of the limbs breaking from the trees, making it hazardous to skulls and limbs to pass under them. To move the pigeons out of the path we had to resort to firing volleys among them which had the effect to move them so that we could pass along with safety. — An amusing incident or accident occurred to one of our party who was walking by the side of the writer; his name was George Gable; he had a pretty large talkative mouth usually more or less open, and as it was now early dark and the pigeons flying in every direction from the breaking of the timber, one came like a bullet directly into George's mouth, and killed itself outright!

After reaching camp and resting awhile, we divided into two parties and began shooting, and all we had to do was select trees which were filled with birds and fire into the midst of them as near as we could : it being dark no precise aim could be taken, but looking up we could distinguish the dark tree tops sufficiently well to get an aim. On firing at a mass of them they would fly a short distance and settle again, but as there were plenty of trees filled with them, we did not have to run many steps to get another shot. After every shot we could hear the birds fall amongst the universal din, some on the ground and some in the river. We kept firing at intervals until midnight, when we gave up and returned into camp to await for daylight to pick up the game.

Shortly after daylight, on going over the ground where they had roosted, it had the appearance of having been visited by a tornado; numbers of trees with trunks a foot or more in diameter, which grew in a leaning position from the side of the mountain, were broken off near the ground, while thousands of limbs of all sizes were split from the trees. The great noise and confusion continued until three o'clock in the morning when all became hushed and silent as death, save now and then the howl of the wolf, the bark of the fox and the scream of the wildcat, which hold high carnival on the occasion. — Shortly after daylight in the morning the flocks commenced reforming, and started off on their morning foraging expeditions, which extend to a hundred miles or more in every direction, to return in like manner as before. This roost was continued about two weeks, when they moved off to the north. — Near its close it was almost impossible to enter upon the ground they had occupied in consequence of the manure which not only covered the ground but every stick and bush. On going over the ground in the morning to collect the birds we had shot during the night, we found many that were killed and maimed by the falling timber. How many we had killed could not be ascertained, as numbers fell into the river and were carried down the stream. We brought out, however, 535 birds, which were as many as we could comfortably carry. While searching about in a laurel thicket for the dead birds, we came across a pile of a peck or more of gizzards, which had been left there by some 'varmint,' probably a wildcat, which did not appear to relish them as food."

March 29, 1871. Juniata Sentinel 25(13): 1. Issued at Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pennsylvania.

Great Pigeon Roost at Kilbourn City in Wisconsin

The great pigeon roost at the West this year is in Wisconsin. A paper at Kilbourn city says that for three weeks pigeons have been flying in flocks which no man could number. On Saturday, April 22d, for above two hours before nightfall, they flew in one continuous flock from south to north, darkening the air and astonishing the people by the sound of their wings. — Hotels are full of trappers and hunters, coopers are busy making barrels, and men, women and children are active in packing the birds or filling the barrels. They are shipped to Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. From 10,000 to 30,000 birds are forwarded daily.

May 30, 1871. [Great pigeon roost at Kilbourn City, Wisconsin.] St. Lawrence Republican and Ogdensburg Weekly Journal 41(28): 2. Abbreviated version on June 1, 1871 in Edgefield Advertiser 32(23): 2.

Great Virginia Pigeon Roost

Sportsmen are now having an exciting time in Buckingham county, Va. A correspondent, writing under date of the 16th ult., describes the great "pigeon roost" on the old furnace lands near Canton. He says:

"The area of the roost is four square miles, and to one who never saw a sight of the kind it is truly amazing. From one hour of sun until night the air is darkened with countless thousands of the birds flying from all directions (south of the river) inward to the roost. There is a grandeur indescribable in the mournful sounds of rushing wings as the trackless armies, marshaled in the "viewless wind," come sweeping to their bivouac. But the evening sight is not to be compared to that of the morning when the pigeons are leaving the roost. Rising upwards from the bushes like columns of blue smoke, the rays of the morning sun paint them with rainbow tints, and a canopy overshadows the woods like the sulphurous clouds above the battlefield. Wheeling in great divisions in the air, they divide, each army to its leader, and the heavens grow lighter as they disappear to refill their craws with acorns."

February 24, 1872. [Great Virginia pigeon roost.] Charleston Daily News 11(1912): 2. Also: February 28, 1872 in Daily Phoenix issued at Columbia, S.C.; March 7, 1872 in Waynesboro Village Record 24(40): 2.

Millions of Wild Pigeons at Maryland Farm

Six Acres of Pigeons - Millions of Wild Pigeons Settling on a Farm in Maryland.

The Birds Piled in Many Places Two Feet Deep.

Cumberland, Md., October 19.

A Mr. Sehley owns a farm six miles north-west of Oakland. Six acres of the farm are covered with alder bushes, or small tree ranging from twelve to fifteen feet in height. They grow very densely on the land, and from this fact have become very generally known as bushes. Some ten days since, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, a large flock of wild pigeons settled down upon the alders. Mr. Sehley say they were to be numbered by thousands, and completely covered the tops of the bushes, hiding them from flight. Another flock followed, and lighted on top of the first. The incoming of pigeons continued until nightfall, at which time they were piled in many places two feet deep upon each other. The bushes were many of them broken down by the weight. and it is estimated that over a million of birds were on the ground. They roosted there till morning, when flock by flock, they flew away, and by nine o'clock the fields were deserted. In the evening they again returned, and they still make this their resting place.

Singular as this story may appear, it is vouched for by many respectable citizens of this city, who have visited the spot and captured hundreds of the birds. After nightfall, it is said. a person may go among the pigeons and sweep them into a bag. The probable explanation of the immense gathering is in the fact that this is the season of their annual visit to the forest regions of the Allegheny mountains in quest of the acorns which are abundant there.

It is a well established fact that wild pigeons have but one roosting place within on very large territory, and that in their transit to warmer latitudes, and during their stoppage by the way, they use one place only as a roost at night. Other pigeon roosts have been known in the glade districts of Maryland, but this one is considered the largest ever seen by the oldest inhabitant.

November 3, 1872. Atlanta Daily Sun 3(746): 1.

Wild Pigeons Congregating Near Mandeville

Since about the first of March, last, thousands of these migratory birds have congregated within from one to four miles of Mandaville, sometimes, when on the wing, almost blackening the sky. Their number has been so great, that it is said that the timber where they roost has been materially injured by the breaking off of nearly all the limbs. Of late they have selected the smaller timber and brush, where, during the darkness of night, they can be picked or knocked off their roost, which has afforded rare sport. During the night they keep up a constant chatter and buzz throughout their whole camp and can be heard sometimes for several miles, which attracts the sportsman to their whereabouts. This migratory bird is found in all the warm and temperate regions of the globe, particularly in the former, and so numerous, that over one hundred species have been enumerated.

There have been more of them here in Saline county this spring, than we recollect ever to have seen before. Some of our sportsmen have had fine diversion shooting them on the wing. The black man, Bob, whose power we apply to our large press instead of that of steam, brought down six the other day at a single shot.

April 23, 1873. Wild pigeons. Saline County Progress 8(39): 1.

Extraordinary Pigeon Roost in Michigan

From Benzie County, Michigan, comes a pigeon story, which beats all that have been told before, either in Scripture or out of it. The roost where the pigeons congregate in such untold millions is called "Betsy River nesting." The tract is about sixteen miles long and three wide. Every bough is occupied by a dozen nests and a hundred birds, and from morning till night the air whirrs with ceaseless wings going and coming. Between 250 and 400 men have been engaged for over six weeks constantly killing and trapping. As the old birds leave or are destroyed as many young ones take their places. There are three regular "flights" a day — two "tom-flights" and one "hen-flight." At early dawn, the male birds set out flying to the East and North to seek a breakfast of seeds and berries, ten, twenty or fifty miles away, and by 6 or half-past 6 the sky is black with the departing birds. An hour later, not a bird is to be seen, but towards 8 o'clock the squadrons return in clouds. The shot-gun and the net are the principal weapons used by the hunter.

July 18, 1874. A pigeon roost extraordinary. Columbia Daily Phoenix 10(107): 2. Also: July 23, 1874 in Anderson Intelligencer.

Millions of Wild Pigeons in Texas

Jewett, Texas, Nov. 1. — Millions of wild pigeons have appeared within the last two days. They are devouring the mast for many miles around, destroying the prospects of the pork crop for the benefit of the sportsmen. The information is given that their roost is near the Bondsman place, about five miles southeast of Oakwood station. It is about a mile and a half long and a half mile wide. The people regard the pigeons as destroying angles or as an army of grasshoppers but the sportsmen are jubilant. The pigeons feed over a [n.l.] of twenty-five miles.

November 26, 1874. Millions of wild pigeons. Stroudsburg Jeffersonian 32(27): 3.

Uncounted Millions at Corning Pigeon Roost

How Sportsmen Secure Them

The following description of the great pigeon roost near Corning, is from a recent number of the Rochester Democrat:

There are countless millions of pigeons to be found within one hundred miles of this city. The country lying between the main line of the Erie railroad from Corning to Buffalo, and the Rochester branch from Corning to Avon is literally alive with the birds. Their roosting place is situated in a wild mountainous region west of Coopers, N.Y., a mile this side of Corning, and embracing a tract of land from seven to ten miles square, heavily timbered, and unbroken by clearing highways, from which they issue at daylight and scatter over the country for many miles in search of their food, which consists principally of corn. The birds made their appearance near Coopers, about three weeks ago, and have advanced further west daily, until they now fly as far west as Springwater. During the present week they will, in all probability, be found at all points along the Genesse valley and scattered over the surrounding country, and there is a prospect that a considerable number of these birds will build their nests and breed in this country and to bag them is to go to Coopers, Curtis, Campbell's or Savona, and choose an elevated position directly in the line of flight and shoot as the immense flocks come stringing past. The plan gives an opportunity to shoot in the morning as the birds fly to the feeding grounds, and again at night as they return to roost, and avoid the fatigue of climbing to high, rough wooded hills in which the birds feed during the day.

The writer took trip to Campbell's last week, made big bags, and never had more enjoyment crowded into a two days' trip. The birds fly over the western side of the valley in the morning, and go back on the eastern side at night, flying just above the tree tops as they pass up and down the mountains. Opposite the village of Campbells are three hills; on the top of the centre one our party took up a position, and when the flight commenced, about 5:30 P.M., we could load and fire fast enough to take the flocks as they charged upon us like the waves of the ocean. The flight lasted an hour. From our elevated position we commanded a view of the country for ten of twelve miles in length and five or six in width, and for the entire distance immense flocks could be seen stretching out in long lines until lost in the distance. When nearing the "roost" several flocks arriving simultaneously would sweep together in one immense flock and alight in the trees, in a thick mass, seemingly covering an acre or more. Several trappers are endeavoring to ascertain the exact location of the feeding ground, for the purpose of catching with nuts, but as yet have not come far enough West to meet with success.

May 19, 1875. The Corning pigeon roost. Uncounted millions of pigeons, and how sportsmen secure them. Binghampton Broome Republican 53(47): 3.

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.