1911 J Wright, Early Records of the Passenger Pigeon. 365 



In 1788, George Henry Loskiel gives an interesting account of 

 this species (equally applicable to Pennsylvania). 1 "The Wild 

 Pigeon (columba migratoria) is of an ash grey color. The cock is 

 distinguished by a red breast. In spring they take their passage to 

 the north, and in autumn return to the south. In some years they 

 flock together in such numbers, that the air is darkened by their 

 flight. Wherever they alight, they make as much havock among 

 the trees and garden-fruits as the locusts. The noise they make 

 is so intolerable, that it is difficult for people near them to hear, 

 or understand each other. In the year 1778 they appeared in 

 such great numbers, that the ground under their resting-places 

 was covered with their dung above a foot high, during one night. 

 The Indians went out, killed them with sticks, and came home 

 loaded. They delight in shooting these wild pigeons, and some- 

 times kill thirty at a shot. At night, a party of Indians frequently 

 sally out with torches made of straw or wood, and when they get 

 among the birds, light them. The pigeons being dazzled by the 

 sudden glare, are easily knocked off the branches with sticks. 

 Such a party once brought home above eighteen hundred of these 

 birds, which they killed in one night in this manner. Their flesh 

 has a good taste, and is eaten by the Indians either fresh, smoked, 

 or dried. When the Iroquois perceive that the young pigeons are 

 nearly fledged, they cut down the trees with the nests, and some- 

 times get two hundred young from one tree." Of one of its foods 

 he says: "Virginian Poke (phytolacca decandra) is. . . .called by 

 some pigeon-berry, the pigeons being extremely fond of them." 



In 1803, Rev. Clark Brown, in a topographical description of 

 Catskill, says: 2 "These and the wild pigeons are the chief fowls, 

 which are killed for use." The next year (1804) Robert Munro, 

 in his 'Description of Genesee Country,' states: 3 "Large numbers 

 of pigeons frequent the country in spring and fall, of which a great 

 many are caught in nets and shooting, and beds are sometimes 

 made of their feathers." 



1 Loskiel, George Henry. History of the Mission of the United Brethren among 

 the Indians in North America. In three parts. Transl. by C. I. La Trobe. 

 London, 1794, pp. 92, 93, 116 (orig. edit. 17S8). 



2 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., Vol. IX. 1804, p. US. 



* Doc. Hist, of New York, Vol. II, 1S49, p. 1175. (Svo edit.) 



