Significant Migratory Birds History at Genoa, Nebr.

Regular and ongoing reports issued by an anonymous individual(s) in the Columbus Journal newspaper, present a distinctly unique history for bird occurrence in Nebraska.

There were regular report, often for each month, with a summary regularly presented in January, where details for the previous year were presented. The unknown author indicated weather-related conditions, including mean temperature, clear or cloudy days, windy days, and depending on the season, the extent of snow or rain. As well, there are dates for lunar or solar coronas, and the occurrence of one or more sort of a mirage.

The first known instance where a particular bird species was denoted was in August 1878, in the September issue of the paper.

"Martins leave for the season 15th," were the few, basic words that indicated the local presence of this species at Genoa, Nance County, for August season.

It is very probable that earlier issues of the Journal would include additional references, but as they are not available online at the Chronicling America website, they have not been reviewed.

Weather reports of particular interest continued for the next decade. Typically a yearly summary was published in January for the previous year. There were also, especially in the first few years considered, monthly reports. Details for the months — especially pertaining to birds — were summarized in the annual report.

Regarding 1878, the review for 1878 was issued in the January 15, 1878 issued of the Journal. Species mentioned included larks (meadowlarks), blackbirds (c.f. Red-winged Blackbird), geese (Canada Goose), brant (Snow Goose), cranes (Sandhill Crane). swallows (probably the Barn Swallow) and martins (Purple Martin).

Larks arrived on March 6th, with martins arriving on April 22nd, and departing on August 15th, at a time when locusts were flying south to southwest in the vicinity.

The author of these reports is not known. M.K. Turner and Company were the proprietors and publishers of the newspaper during these times. A single issued of a summery report, for 1885, included the initials G.S.T. If he was the regular author, his focus and attention is certainly a unique perspective of local outdoor conditions, as he not only looked to the sky to see weather phenomenon, but also was attentive to notable bird-related dates.

Bird Chronology

More than 75 distinct records of occurrence are known for March 1878 to April, 1887. The first date represents a notation for the spring arrival of larks; the latter the arrival of swallows at this place along the Platte River.

Of particular interest are details about the Purple Martins, especially since spring arrival and autumn departure dates. These observations are the first and, thus far based upon extensive research, the only reports for this species which are available from a newspaper source.

This is a summary of particulars with the weather report:

Purple Martin Observations at Genoa, Nebr. Julian Date : Observation Date
Spring 86 : 3/27/1881 87 : 3/28/1882 89 : 3/30/1887 91 : 3/31/1884 91 : 4/1/1885 92 : 4/1/1880 93 : 4/3/1883 99 : 4/9/1879 99 : 4/9/1886 112 : 4/22/1878	Autumn 212 : 7/30/1880 219 : 8/7/1881 227 : 8/15/1878 227 : 8/15/1879 239 : 8/27/1883 241 : 8/28/1884 244 : 9/1/1882

The martins were noted as typically arriving during a two-week period, and departing during period of time which extended for a longer period.The dates reflect the occurrence of this dramatic species, based upon current, and modern dates of departure. The dates for Genoa indicate that these birds may have left the local vicinity for elsewhere, which may have been a regional roost location, especially as martin are known to occur in the 21st century, throughout August and into early September along the Missouri River valley.

Other species well represented by dates of occurrence are the Barn Swallow, Canada Goose, Sandhill Crane and Western Meadowlark, which would have been the prevalent prairie lark in this region at this time of history. The Red-winged Blackbird, American Crow, American Robin and Killdeer are mentioned very less frequently.

Not all of the bird records are from the weather report. Other items of a few words — in a sentence or few - indicate the unusual occurrence of a gray eagle (Bald Eagle), shooting of a swan (Trumpeter Swan), the taking of a Whooping Crane, a note-worthy flight of geese or other bird-related events prevalent to the observer.

Overall, at more than a dozen species are represented by the various accounts.

Reports of sorts with dates of significant bird occurrence occurred through March, 1887 to a regular degree. Thereafter, there are additional, though scattered reports to the end of the century.

Fire Hunting Woodcock a Historic Endeavor

I an unable to give you a large hunting story, as I have not been driving, but I had some sport last night in killing woodcock, which are here very numerous, and come in from the swamps after night to feed in the cotton fields. We started from the house with a large pine torch, (held by a negro,) which gave a brilliant light, giving us sight of the bird, and at the time blinding it, and allowing use to approach close enough to shoot it with a squib. We only killed twelve brace, on account of the moon. A negro, who followed us, however, took a more novel mode of dispatching the bird — knocking them over with a long cane, in which he succeeded wonderfully, much to his own gratification and amazement.

March 24, 1842. A hunting story. New-York American 24(2669): 6. From a letter in the Grand Gulf Advertiser.

Grand Gulf is in Claiborne county, Mississippi.

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Fire Hunting for Woodcock.

An Old-time Mississippi Sport Introduced to Pike County.

Lackawaxen, Pa., Sept. 21 — On Friday last a method of hunting woodcock never before heard of among the sportsmen of this region was tried on a well-known woodcock ground along the Shohola Creek, twelve miles back in the woods from this place. It was introduced by Dr. J.H. Butte, a Southerner, who with some New York friends and one or two local sportsmen, had been spending some days hunting in the Shohola country. The party had had poor success with woodcock, although indications of their presence were abundant. On Friday Dr. Butte suggested that the party try the Mississippi style of killing the wily bird by "fire hunting."

"Woodcock are plenty in Mississippi," said the Southern sportsman, "but they seem to have different habits there than here, or at least have better opportunities for evading the hunter and preventing him from enjoying the shooting of them from behind a dog. The swamps and brakes are so dense about the haunts of the woodcock in Mississippi that it is next to impossible to make your way into them, and in these great thickets the birds lie close all day. When night comes, however, they rise and seek the cultivated open lands where they feed, as they do here, on the worms that find their natural breeding places in such soil. I don't know who first conceived the idea of getting the best of the woodcock on these feeding grounds, but as long as I can remember that has been most effectually done by fire hunting. The outfit of a fire hunter, before the war, consisted of a gun, a big pine-knot torch, and the strongest slave on the plantation. Since the war the slave has been left out of the outfit, but the tradition is preserved by hiring some muscular darky to perform his duties. The torch might more appropriately be called a pillar of fire, for it is a fire made of the fattest kind of pine knots in a large iron wickerwork cage secured to one end of a stout pole twelve or fifteen feet high, and carried aloft by the negro. It casts a bright light over an area of several rods around. The hunter or hunters, as soon as it is dark, proceed to the woodcock ground. The torch bearer lights the pine knots and walks slowly along. The hunter follows closely. In the bright light he soon sees the lustrous, staring eyes of the woodcock, disturbed in its feeding, fixed with a startled look and apparent fascination on the glaring torch. Some hunters will not wait for the bird to rise, but kill it as it sits. The more scientific gunner waits till it rises with its peculiar cry, and brings it down by a quick shot. The shot has got to be quick, too, for the bird is seen but a second as it flashes upward, and is then lost in the darkness beyond the boundaries of the torch rays. To bring down a woodcock before it escapes in the darkness requires a hunter that knows his business. It often happens that a score of birds will rise at the same time and whirr for an instant in the glare of the torch, and so, generally, there are several gunners in a party, and one evening's fire hunting may result in the bagging of a hundred birds or more."

Dr. Butte questioned whether fire hunting was a legitimate or fair way to hunt woodcock where the country permitted the use of dogs in their covers; but it was resolved, for the novelty of the thing, to give it a trial in Pike county. A corn field where the bottom showed abundant evidence that woodcock fed there by night was selected for the trial. A camp kettle was tied to the end of a long pole, and filled with pine knot bits. On Friday night the hunters sought the corn field. The torch was lighted and carried by a stalwart Pike county guide. The field had hardly been entered before three woodcock were discovered, as Dr. Butte had described. They flushed, and each one was brought to bag. The hunt lasted an hour, and twenty-seven birds were killed.

It is not likely that this questionable sport will be indulged in to any extent by legitimate hunters, who find the greatest enjoyment in woodcock shooting in the exciting maneuvers of their blooded dogs in the covey and the wild rise of the game in its rush for a place of safety; but there are many men, who hunt only for profit, who will lose no opportunity to take advantage of this southern idea, if it proves to be as successful as the trial of Friday night, and consequently its introduction in game haunts, already seriously abused by pot hunters, is greatly to be regretted.

September 28, 1884. Fire hunting for woodcock. An old-time Mississippi sport introduced in Pike County. New York Sun 52(28): 3.

Newspapers Essential to Historic Ornithology

A myriad of issues of historic newspapers are essential in presenting the presence of birds during historic times in the United States. Whether past or present, significant sightings were indicated upon the pages, to a lesser or greater degree.

After a effort initiated many years ago, followed by an intensive and daily investigation in the past few months, a pinnacle of this research effort was reached on 08/22/2012 ... when a tally of 2012 individual articles had been reviewed. Each bird notation has been compiled into a database to provide a comprehensive perspective. With details in an electronic format, further details are available for consideration and evaluation, which is so important in determining what particular focus is needed to find additional pertinent records.

Not every article provided bird occurrence records, but have been included because they convey something significant in regards to bird history of the era.

Highlights of this research effort, as of this August date, include:

• tally of 2012 articles derived from newspaper sources
• tally of 46 states, plus the District of Columbia, represented in the dataset
• 4202 individual records compiled, with the first known from 1723
• records representing 262 distinct species, plus other variations that could not be attributed to a proper name

Those species which are mentioned in prevalence are, in descending order, the Passenger Pigeon (more than 560 distinctive records, with other indications pending), Bald Eagle (commonly referred to as the gray eagle), Canada Goose (the wild goose), Northern Bobwhite (partridges), Wild Turkey, Snowy Owl (white owl, snow owl, Arctic owl), and Greater Prairie-Chicken.

In a geographic context, the top few states where records have been found, thus far, are:

• New York: 531
• Nebraska: 508
• Iowa: 320
• Pennsylvania: 284
• Georgia: 274
• California: 236
• New Jersey: 221

These numbers are representative, but have been derived from an availability of freely-available source material. Pay-to-view sites have not been evaluated, and obviously they have pertinent details and would expand the perspective.

When this endeavor of looking into how newspapers reported occurrences of birds began man years ago, it was based upon looking at microfilm. The situation has dramatically changed. Where there was once a site or two where details of newspapers were presented online, there are now many web-sites which present information, often with an option to search for particular details. Then other similar sites were discovered. There are some others which are fee-based, and thus have not been included in this effort.

Overall, the current representation is indicative of details in the historic newspapers. Any evaluation of the ornithology for a state has to consider the details given within the newspapers associated with the geographic locality, which often are conveyed by a newspaper within the state.

It is not always about particular observations. Some especially notable articles have been typed for presentation in their entirety, elsewhere on this blog. The details are especially expressive.

This records database is available on only one computer in the world.

Cats Versus Birds - Perspective of 1876

Mrs. Swisshelm expresses wonder that any song bird are found in the United States, since cats are so numerous here, and proceeds to show pretty conclusively that they have done more than man himself to extirpate some of our most valuable prairie fowls. This calls to mind the statement made some years ago by a patient observer of the habits of these beasts of prey, he declared that two cats upon his farm killed over three hundred young partridges in one season. and more recently the protest came from Kansas that these animals were killing off the birds that ate the grasshoppers. This is a very bad report for pussy.

Now the economist pertinently asks if the food which the fifty or sixty feline whether there would not be more left to feed some of the starving children; and to put the finishing stroke upon the business, Mrs. Swisshelm intimates very strongly that the cat is in a measure responsible for the grasshopper plague. After this it will be difficult to find a modern Cowper to defend the sleek and bloated hypocrite that purrs before the grate fire, and that is only waiting for the night to come, to banish sleep with the voice of the damned.

October 6, 1876. Cats vs. birds. Weekly Sumter Republican 23(32): 4. Also: October 13, 1876. Weekly Sumter republican 23(33): 1. Issued at Americus, Georgia.

Wild Fowl Massacres - 1880

The decoy — a fac-simile of the wild goose or duck — was the first device employed to allure wild fowl within reach of a gun. Formerly but six or eight were used. To-day a full set will number from sixty to two hundred, the larger number as auxiliary to the battery — a diabolical engine of destruction. The machine consists of a square box of dimensions sufficient to contain a man prostrate on his back. To this box is attached a platform made of cedar boards. The latter varies in dimensions. Some are eight feet square, others twelve or fourteen feet, while many have canvas fenders attached, the more completely to break the swash of the waves. These machines can only be used during moderate southerly weather. They are transported on large sailboats to the feeding grounds of the birds, where they are launched and anchored. About and on them are placed large numbers of decoys, which are so arranged as to lie head towards the machine. The largest body of decoys are usually placed so that the birds in passing shall swing off towards the left bank. We will now imagine the gunner snugly stowed in his narrow box. The tender lies off and on to the leeward in readiness to pick up the dead. Cripples are seldom retrieved. As the battery is placed wide off shore, sometimes in the very center of a sound or bay, the crowd of decoys surrounding it are very attractive to passing fowl. The gunner, prone upon his back on a level with the water, is entirely invisible. Flock after flock, unsuspicious of danger, and seeking a favorite feeding ground, will dash in among the decoys. The occupant of the battery at the proper moment rises to a sitting position and pours in among them a right and left hand gun. Possibly at every shot four or five may be killed outright, and as many more crippled. The dead are retrieved by the tender, while the cripples find their way to shore, where they either die a lingering death, or are destroyed by animals or birds of prey. When ducks are flying freely, and the man in the battery is armed with a breech-loader, and is moreover experienced in this style of shooting, the slaughter is immense. The proportion of wounded to dead is large. It requires no great effort to calculate the amount of mischief of which the battery is capable. The machine, however, is available only for certain varieties of fowl. Geese may be killed from it, also widgeon, canvas back duck, red-head, and all birds whose sight is close to the surface of water. Black ducks and sprig-tails, or birds which fly at a considerable altitude, are apt to look into a battery, and consequently avoid it. The use of these machines is not so harmful in large expanses of water as in small and narrow bays. Here they are positively fatal, and should not be tolerated. Laws area, indeed enacted forbidding their use, but no attention is paid to these statutes, and they are used indiscriminately.

The fire-lighting of geese is done, of course, on very dark nights. On the bow of a boat's lantern, similar to the headlight of a locomotive, is rigged. The boat is slowly propelled toward the birds on their feeding grounds. These, when the light approaches, sit with head and necks level, motionless, and paralyzed with fear. They may be approached within twelve feet. Moreover, the birds in their terror huddle together, so that when fire is opened on them the slaughter is great. After being shot at, they rise on the wing, and in their bewilderment often dash directly against the lantern. The effect of disturbing a wary bird like the goose after this fashion may be readily imagined. A single experience of the kind suffices to drive him panic stricken finally and forever from such localities. There is a law forbidding this practice; it is seldom or never enforced.

We now come to the dusking of ducks. This is likewise a fatal and reckless way of killing fowl. The black duck, spring-tail and teal feed usually close under the sedgy shores. During the day, so persistently have they been pursued, it is difficult to entice them to the decoys; consequently they are shot in the dusk of the evening, when the shades of night obscure objects, which experience has taught them to avoid. In the early evening the flash of a gun is visible at a great distance; the effect on birds using their feeding grounds is disastrous. Laws have been enacted against this method of killing ducks. They are likewise never enforced. On ever favorable occasion the shores are lined with gunners, who dusk birds far into the night. For days the particular locality is entirely deserted by these birds, which, when they do return, fly high in the air, and peer cautiously about them. To bring them within gunshot is impossible.

October 7, 1880. Wild fowl massacres. Indiana Democrat 19(24): 4. From Harper's Weekly. Obvious misspellings corrected.

Duck Shooting About Caw Caw Island - 1868

Correspondence of the Milwaukee News.

Club House - Caw Caw Island, Sept. 24th, 1868.

Under the general head of field sports, there is no phase of its varied and exciting amusement which combines so much of zest and exposure, with a skillful handling of the gun, as what is understood by sportsmen as water fowl shooting.

Duck shooting stands at the head of this rare list, and requires the best guns, and the most skillful judgment for its successful accomplishment. The advice of the French cook as to preparing a fowl for dinner, applies with most pertinent force to the sportsman -- especially with a teal down the wind at ninety miles per hour -- "first get your duck."

If there is a place in the wide world where good shooting will bag 20 to 40 brace of duck in a day, that place is Lake Horicon, an artificial reservoir of some sixteen by four miles dimensions, in the middle of which is situated "Caw Caw Island." The Caw Caw sporting blub-house, erected upon this island the most ample accommodations for their convenience, including the best "sportsmen's ranche" -- boats, dog-houses and general shooting outfit I have ever found at any camp.

Three years ago I was a visitor to the "Caw Caws' upon invitation of its whole souled president, Wm. Young, esq., of Milwaukee, and with a repetition of the same compliment, I am again a guest to testify to the agreeable fact that absence has not dulled the edge of hospitality.

The bogs and marshes which surround this lake furnish most excellent and abundant feed for the waterfowl which breed in its water. Up to this date the club have shot 2,000 ducks, everyone being a native, the flight of northern ducks not having yet set in. Every known species and all varieties of duck are bred here and their number is legion. I have seen them rise in their flight a morning and fairly blacken the sky, stretching away in straggling lines for miles along the shore. Over five thousand ducks were shot last year and sent in by the club to their friends. All of these were killed by single flying shots, no unfair means, such as swivel guns or batteries being permitted.

Not a luck shot by this club or any of its quests [word not legible] said the members being all gentlemen of character and means, pursue their sport and scorn the posthumous motive of pride.

No lord is allowed to spoil, no mere being taken than can be used. The game is being brought in is hung up, the "lagged" and directed to the persons intended for. Then by a [words not legible] at early hours in the morning, displayed from the club house staff, the indispensable [word not legible] is heralded to be in readiness with his term on arrival of the boats, which, after a two mile row, land us within half a mile of the "Crossing," where the Milwaukee & St. Paul cars take all on board at 9 a.m., for the former place, the game to be delivered on arrival by express.

Thus almost daily throughout the shooting season the feathered freebooters of Horicon are "Caw Cawed" and sent in as presents to friends in town.

The predominating fowl thus far has been "wood duck" and "red heads"; the latter was never before so abundant in these waters.

About the 1st of October we look for the northern duck, and those migratory visitors which come and go until the lake freezes over -- which is usually about December 1st. I have myself broken ice half an inch in thickness in October, to get in upon some point and been well repaid for the labor.

The "Ranch" or more explicitly -- the club house of the "Caw Caws," is an institution with ample sleeping accommodations for twelve persons -- just the number of its members -- usually not more than half at which are present -- and with "William" as expert (colored) cook, for caterer, there is no lack of comfort and good living. The printed rules of the club greet the visitor at the door, and once within its portals, [words not legible], social intercourse puts every man on his honor.

I observed that the flight of ducks was very unequal -- some days filling the sky from morn till eve -- while on other days, especially those of wind and storm, no ducks were moving. The daily and almost unceasing shooting about Caw Caw, is at a station on the Northwestern railway called Chester. This is a favorite resort for gunners from Chicago. It has a fine hotel, plenty of boats -- and here you get the first flight of ducks and geese as they come down from the north.

"Halloa!" there's a signal at the wharf, "Rye" (which in the only name I have heard given to a useful and kind hearted young man of all-work about camp) has just come in from Mioskey's with supplies. It does seem that no idea of comfort ever escapes the attention of Mr. Young. Here are baskets of peaches, boxes of grapes, tomatoes, fresh potatoes, milk and eggs. There is too much of luxury in this for a 'hunters camp.' I must go back into town where I can get plain fare.

This spot is one that may excite a sportsman envy. It is as far ahead of any ordinary camp as a metropolitan hotel surpasses a "hog and hornining travel" in Indiana.

The generous characteristics of the club may be inferred from a fact which I take pleasure in here giving to the public. Mr. Wm. Young had a favorite dog called Old Bang, who, after a life of service as a valuable retriever, died on the island, and was buried here. The club have erected over his grave a beautiful white marble monument.

It is of appropriate design, bearing upon its facade of sculptured likeness of Old Bang with a duck in his mouth, and his name in relief on top of the stone, the whole design being some thirty inches in height, and over, shadowed by a group of graceful trees.

McMaster.

September 26, 1868. Field sports in Wisconsin. Duck shooting at Caw Caw Island. Daily Milwaukee News 21(332): 4-5. Obvious misspellings have been corrected.

Duck Shooting at Cobb's Island in 1880

Baltimore, Jan. 31. — Dear Spirit: I send herewith a brief recital of a gunning excursion recently enjoyed by two of Baltimore's well-known sportsmen, Messrs. G.A. Rasch and J.W. Snyder. These gentlemen have been for some time noted for the precision and accuracy of their shooting, and their recent exploits add fresh laurels to their reputation. So decidedly successful and fortunate were there gentlemen that I feel assured these lines will be acceptable to your host of readers who may be interested in sporting affairs. Messrs. Rasch and Snyder left our city Tuesday of last week, and returned Friday morning of the present week. Deducting the time expended in traveling and the Sabbath of rest, about six days were employed in manipulating their breech-loaders. The result of their fusillade among the ranks of black mallards, brant, and geese was a grand and gratifying aggregate of 109 ducks and ten wild geese, which were distributed among their many friends. This is the "biggest" week's shooting that has been executed in the vicinity by any other brace of hunters, amateur or professional. Your readers interested in ducking will doubtless wish to know where such sport was obtained, and by what means the locality can be reached. I would, therefore, state in reply to such implied interrogatories that the place visited by these gentlemen was the well-known spot in Northampton County, Va., which is classically known as Cobb's Island. This island is situated in the waters of the Atlantic, and is in the neighborhood of 200 miles from our city. During the summer the hotel is well and largely patronized, but during the winter is but little frequented save by occasional gunning parties. The islanders are a hardy, obliging, and accommodating people, and do everything in their power to render the stay of strangers pleasant and agreeable. I would especially commend Mr. E.B. Cobb, "a native here and to the manner born," and Capt. C.H. Crumb, of the Life Saving Station, as gentlemen whose courtesy is as genial as their kindness is proverbial. As before mentioned, the island is but little frequented during the winter months; in consequence of this the hotel is not at present in operation, but a most excellent substitute is supplied by Messrs. Melson and Isdell. These gentlemen are the proprietors of a large packet, gunning boats, blinds, decoys, etc. Gunning parties find good, safe, and abundant accommodations on board the packet, and are transported to and from the ducking haunts by Messrs. Melson and Isdell. In consequence of having such good accommodations, convenient accessories, and thoroughly informed guides, it is no great matter of surprise that gunners invariably return from the island abundantly supplied with the game and exceedingly well pleased with their trip. It is a matter of surprise though, that the bang of more guns is not heard awakening the echoes of the ocean island. The fascination of duck-shooting, the certainty of success, and the pleasures of such a trip should be enough to make Cobb's Island the Mecca of our sportsmen. Having already trespassed too much upon your valuable space, I'll now close these rambling lines.

Uno

February 7, 1880. Traps and Triggers. Duck shooting in Maryland. New York Spirit of the Times 99(1): 9.