764 h'Ki'ouT OF STATK ({KOLOUIST. 



than for two or three years. Mr. Barnett noted them in Brown 

 County March 7 and April 5. In Laporte County a flock of 50 or more 

 was seen April 10 (Barber). At Grand Haven, Mich., one was seen 

 May 3 (Davidson). Near Manchester, Mich., observed June 13, Sep- 

 tember 9 and 12 (L. W. Watkins). Mr. E. J. Chansler says he saw 

 a considerable flock in Knox County, September 1. Mr. Harbin saw 

 a flock October 5. These are the first pigeons he has seen for years. 

 In 1895 Mr. Barnett saw a flock of sixty, April 12, in Brown County. 

 Mr. Eatliff reported twenty-five, April 18, at Richmond. 



Prof. W. P. Shannon saw the wings of a Wild Pigeon that was 

 killed near Greensburg in the winter of 1895-6 or the spring of 1896. 

 It was alone when shot. About the same time Mr. John Wright saw 

 six in Bartholomew County. Mr. E. J. Chansler reports a small flock 

 from Flat Creek Bottom, near Wheatland, in 1896. In September, 



1896, it was said several were seen in the eastern part of Franklin 

 County, but I was unable to verify the report. Mr. J. F. Honacker says 

 a small flock was seen near St. Peter's, Franklin County, October 21, 



1897. Previous to that the last one noted in that county was a single 

 one, February 28, 1890. 



The passing of the Pigeon was a wonderful sight. Well do I re- 

 member, as a young boy, the long, dark lines of moving wings, and 

 the noise of the propelling strokes. Their passing away must fill the 

 soul of every one, into whose life their migrations have come as an 

 experience, with profound regret. I introduce the lines of a careful 

 observer, a faithful interpreter of nature, my friend, Hon. B. S. 

 Parker. His "Hoosier Bards" are the feathered songsters of our be- 

 loved State, and therein he has preserved his recollections of the 

 Passenger Pigeon: 



"And windy tumults shako tho ground, 



And trees break down with feathered slow. 

 And many swiftly-pulsing wings 



Are spread at once in sudden fright. 

 Till every fleeting minute brings 



The noise of some delirious flight, 

 And all the air is dark with swarms 



Of pigeons in their quest for food, 

 While autumn leaves in eddying storms 



Are beaten by the feathered flood." 



