336 WILD PIGEON. 



eons have arrived on their breeding grounds in the beech-wood, the birds will return south, 

 and at such times they seem to be in a great hurry, but I have known them to stop when 

 compelled by hunger. On such an occasion, a small flock alighted in our orchard, when 

 we scattered some food on a space of ground. The Pigeons readily went to feeding, then 

 left, and in a short time, returned, accompanied by a large number of others, and we caught 

 some three hundred under a lath frame. Single pairs, a dozen, or several dozens of the 

 Wild Pigeons will sometimes nest anywhere in the mountains and pairs can be observed 

 flying very swiftly back and forth from the mountains to the Susquehanna River, especi- 

 ally in the morning and evening. Several years ago, I noticed a small flock staying late 

 in spring, about the same vicinity, within sight of the city; later in the summer, during a 

 warm day in June, I noticed a small flock of females resting, among the hemlocks in a 

 swamp and probably the males were sitting on the nests while the females were enjoying 

 themselves. One of our neighbors, a very truthful man and enthusiastic Pigeon-catcher, 

 has told me that when netting these birds, in Clearfield County, during the breeding sea- 

 son, not far from the breeding grounds, he caught all females one part of the day and all 

 males the other part. 



"During August, I have met with these Pigeons by twos and threes on the mountain- 

 tops, eating huckleberries. I have killed the young on the raspberry bushes and have also 

 seen them eating cherries from the cherry-tree. During September, the Wild Pigeons 

 feed a great deal on green acorns, later in the month, on gumberries, and early mornings, 

 especially when foggy and damp, they may be observed on high gum-trees which grow at 

 the foot of the mountains. They sit near the top of the tree and generally close together, 

 their bills resting on their breasts and their feathers puffed out, apparently without a mo- 

 tion; at such times, these birds may, with caution, be approached very closely but should 

 the Pigeons have the slightest suspicion of one's approach, they will give a note of alarm, 

 sounding something like a laugh made with a child's trumpet; this same note is occasion- 

 ally used when not in danger. When frightened, they will dart with great velocity from 

 the limbs, by far surpassing Wilson's Snipe in the twisting motion, and should the hunter 

 be an instant too late, he will be obliged to look elsewhere for his pot-pie, as the many birds 

 will not alight again within sight. At this season, autumn, flocks or small parties may be 

 observed in the river bottoms, on warm afternoons, resting quietly among shady trees; at 

 such times, they may be quite easily approached." 



I am also greatly indebted to niy life-long friend, Mr. Edward II. Bowers, who has 

 always been a close observer of birds, for the following valuable notes. 



"Observations made in Benzie County, Michigan, from 1870 to 1880, show that the 

 Wild Pigeons visit this section every alternate year. The birds breed in the valley of the 

 Betsey River and these nesting places occupy several square miles of country. The Pig- 

 eons usually make their appearance the first of March and begin to build early in April 

 if the season will permit. They prefer deciduous woods in which to breed and from ten to 

 twenty nests are placed on a tree. 



"At the head of Frankfort Harbor which is formed by the widened mouth of the Bet- 

 sey River, is an extensive marsh, at the head of which, in the cedar timber, is an open space 



