Slaughter of Geese by Lightning

On Monday, the 16th instant, an almost incredible occurrence transpired in the northern part of Sutter and the southern part of Butte county. On Monday evening, just before sunset, a large thunder cloud came up, apparently from the northeast, accompanied by an unusual amount of chain lightning. First a small amount of common hail fell, and then followed sufficient snow to whiten the ground. As the hail began to fall and the lightning flashed, thousands of white geese, which were in the ponds of shallow water which exist in that locality during very wet winters, suddenly rose up in great flutter, as if many hunters had discharged a volley among them. they went up and up, apparently to rise above the fearful cloud. It was nearly dark, and those who saw them rise thought no more of it till morning, when they began to find dead geese, and hear of hundreds being picked up by the neighbors. Some 700 had been found. One man picked up on his farm all two horses could haul, for their feathers. Their heads were badly torn and their bills split into fragments. Many of them had the feathers of their backs crisped and burnt and their bodies bursted open. The portion of country thus affected was about a mile and a half wide, and reached several miles in Butte county. The terrific lightning in this cloud was witnessed by people on the Honcut, in Yuba county. The thunder was heard twenty miles distant.

April 29, 1874. Memphis Public Ledger 18(51): 2. From the Yuba City (Cal.) Banner.

Seabirds Thrown Inland by Sweeping Storm in Georgia

The most remarkable occurrence, however during this rather peculiar turn in nature's laws, was a shower of birds Saturday night. On Sunday morning, to the great surprise of the denizens of this city and vicinity, various specimens of the sea bird were found fluttering on the ground. The writer found on his premises a bird commonly known as a didapper, but what we think should be called a palmipid. Besides other species shown us by residents of the city, Mr. A.A. Adams sent us on Thursday a couple of birds widely differing from those previously seen. They have very stout legs, and three completely webbed toes, and bear a striking resemblance to the penguins, auks and other marine diving birds inhabiting the northern part of Europe, Asia and America. This migratory bird, known as the guillemat, makes quite a palatable dish, and while wishing no one an ill wind, we trust friend Adams will soon present us with another enjoyable breakfast. These birds were probably "taken in" by a gale while on their way northward and scattered in every direction, as we learn they have been found for hundreds of miles in each direction of the compass. Mr. Adams has to say of the bird above referred to: "These two birds appear to be something between a wild duck and a didapper. They do not fly, but walk and run uprightly on their legs, with web feet, which protrude not under, but as a continuation of the body. They were caught in the open woods, near a branch and swamp, secreting themselves when pursued — not in the swamp, but in brush, under logs, etc. One was seen to dive in a stump filled with water, and remained in the bottom until caught. They were found in pairs — male and females — very pugnacious, and the males attach each other when brought near together. They are very fat and tender, tasting somewhat like a summer duck, and not fishy. Their craws are filled with grass and grit. One of my tenants caught twenty-three of the birds, and reported that he saw many more."

April 15, 1877. A sweeping storm. Memphis Daily Appeal 36(89): 2. From the Americus Republican; originally issued in the Weekly Sumter Republican.

Canton, Mississippi - Terrific Rain and Wind-Storm

A terrific rain and wind-storm passed over this section the night of the 2d instant, blowing down trees, fences and some outhouses. Fortunately no harm was done to life. The storm came from a northeasterly direction, and lasted several hours. The next morning a large number of strange birds, some of them dead or wounded from being hurled against houses, trees and other obstacles, were found lying on the ground. Others, apparently uninjured, were captured. They certainly belong to the sea-fowl species, and resemble the penguin, though they are not so large. They are about the size of a common teal duck. They have a head like the game chicken, with a beak like the crow. their wings and legs are very short, and they have web feet. The feathers on their back and neck are dark green and black, while those on their breast are a brilliant, silvery gray. They have no tails, and many of them when found were sitting up erect or were walking or waddling slowly. Some of them, ostrich-like, tried to conceal themselves by burying their heads in the weeds or grass. None of them attempted to fly. As they are strangers to the ornithology of this locality, the supposition is they were caught up by the wind on the seacoast, miles away, and were wafted hitherward.

April 8, 1885. Memphis Daily Appeal 45(84): 2.

Stormy Weather Notably Kills Birds

Severe weather on April 14th resulted in several known examples of bird mortality in the area.

On Sunday morning, a dead Franklin's Gull was noted near the middle of South Expressway Street, north of Lake Manawa. A number of these birds were present at the lake, with many others flying about. Possibly this bird was struck from the sky and fell to land on the thoroughfare. It has not yet been compacted by traffic.

There were two reports of fatality in Boone County.

William Flack reported on the NEBirds forum that: "At the intersection with county road 290 Ave in northeastern Boone County, found a flock of 29 Franklin's Gulls in a field beside the road. Most were clearly dead: lying on their backs with their wings sprawled out in odd positions, etc. Only six of the gulls were in positions consistent with living birds; two of those six moved, and were clearly injured.

"I conjecture that the birds were caught in the storm that moved through and killed by hail. A little earlier at Olson Nature Preserve, I'd found hailstones more than an inch in diameter (=larger than a U.S. quarter)" ...

Colleen and Don Noecker, reported at the same forum, they noted "a dead Canada Goose on a muskrat hut. We presume it died from the hail. Also saw an injured Franklin's Gull which was sitting upright but the wing was clearly damaged."

In midtown Omaha, an errant Pied-billed Grebe occurred on Davenport Street at 43rd Street, and ended up being struck by vehicles. The carcass was flattened but still could be readily identified.

The conjecture, according to first observer Justin Rink, is that the bird landed on the street during the heavy rain on Saturday and could then not get airborne, and was then struck dead by a vehicle.

These grebes were common at three area lakes along the river on Sunday.

There was a news report a few days later showing several Pied-billed Grebes being released at Cunningham Lake, which had also been grounded during the weekend storm.