310 A PIGEON HUNT ON THE OHIO. 



woods," and in the presence of the birds, and the sharp 

 crack of the rifle was heard, mingled with the loud report 

 of the double-barrelled shot guns. 



Now it must not be imagined that the wild pigeons of 

 America are so " tame" as they have been sometimes 

 represented. That is their character only while young 

 at the breeding-places, or at the great roost's when con- 

 fused by crowding upon each other, and mystified by 

 torchlight. Far different are they when wandering 

 through the open woods in search of food. It is then both 

 difficult to approach and hard to kill them. Odd birds 

 you may easily reach ; you may see them perched upon 

 the branches on all sides of you, and within shot-range ; 

 but the thick of the flock, somehow or other, always 

 keeps from one to two hundred yards off. The sports- 

 man cannot bring himself to fire at single birds. No. 

 There is a tree near at hand literally black with pigeons. 

 Its branches creak under the weight. What a fine havoc 

 he will make if he can but get near enough ! But that 

 is the difficulty ; there is no cover, and he must approach 

 as he best can without it. He continues to advance ; the 

 birds sit silent, watching his movements. He treads 

 lightly and with caution ; he inwardly anathematises the 

 dead leaves and twigs that make a loud rustling under his 

 feet. The birds appear restless ; several stretch out their 

 necks as if to spring off. At length he deems himself 



