202 Screntific Soctetzes. [April 
numbers, flying more abundantly in the morning, though there were oc- 
casional flocks all day. From our place north to Fort Washington Point, 
three miles distant, the view was unobstructed, and for the entire distance 
it was almost an unbroken forest. We could see the flocks make their 
appearance over the Point, consisting of from twenty-five to over a hun- 
dred Pigeons, and come sweeping down over the tree tops seemingly ata 
speed of about 75 miles an hour, and consequently they soon reached the 
position where we were awaiting them. The flocks followed each other 
in quick succession, and as they dashed by before a strong northwester— 
sometimes quite close to the ground—they did not offer an easy mark for 
even an expert gunner. I never succeeded in killing more than four 
with one shot, from a passing flock. 
On the south side of Manhattanville Valley the ground is elevated, 
much the same as it is on the north side. Here is one of the old country 
seats on the Hudson River, known as ‘Claremont,’ and this place was 
fixed upon as the most eligible sight for General Grant’s Tomb. The 
original fine dwelling house is still in good condition. During one of 
these great flights of Pigeons, the house was occupied by some gentleman, 
whose name I cannot recall, but I remember that from the top of the 
house, in one morning, a hundred or more were shot by him. These 
flights continued as long as I lived at Manhattanville, and Pigeons were 
quite abundant, I was informed, for some years after, but at the present 
time a single one would be a rarity. Even into October there would be 
a flight when the wind was favorable, but in the earlier flights they were 
the most abundant. 
In September Kingbirds (Zyrannus tyranuus) flew south in considerable 
numbers. They were much prized as game, by our foreign citizens with 
shooting proclivities. 
About the first of October, on the occurrence of a few cold days, there 
would be a flight of Golden-winged Woodpeckers (Colaftes auratus) and 
some Red-headed Woodpeckers (Melanerpfes erythrocephalus). They 
did not come in flocks, but singly in large numbers. 
At the same time Blue Jays ( Cyanocitta cristata) passed south in large 
flocks. 
On favorable days in October there would be large flights of Crows 
( Corvus americanus) winging their way south to a more congenial 
climate. 
In October flocks of Cedar birds ( Ampelzs cedrorum) migrated south 
very regularly. During the same month the plaintive melody of the note 
of the Bluebird (Szaléa stal’s ) would be heard overhead from passing 
flocks. This favorite species was much sought after by young gunners: 
I have seen boys with long strings of them, carried in that way for the 
want of a game bag. 
By the middle of October, Robins (Merula migratoria) were abundant, 
sometimes flying in flocks, but at other times they came in such numbers 
that they could be seen almost everywhere. They continued to be 
. numerous for about two weeks, when the majority went south, though 
