324 P A S S E N G E R P I G E O R- 



their balconies, and the roofs of their houfes. When they alight 

 on trees to rooft, they often break the limbs of ftout oaks, un- 

 able to fupport the weight of the crowds which perch on them. 

 The ground beneath the trees on which they have lodged a night, is 

 covered with their dung to a confiderable depth *. 



Jojfelyn, who obferved thefe Pigeons in 1638^ in New England, 

 Ibefore they were difturbed by population, fays. He has feen flights 

 of them moving at Michaelmas to the fouthward, four or five miles 

 long, fo thick that he loft fight of the fun. He adds, that they 

 IIeturk. return in fpring ; and that they join neft to neft, and tree to tree, 

 by. their nefts, for many miles together, in the woods f. Kalm 

 mentions their paffage through Jerfey in March. 



The inhabitants of North America profit by this kind gift of Pro- 

 vidence, and flioot them in their paflagej for they are very fat, and 

 excellent meat. The Indians watch the roofting-places 5 go in the 

 night, and, knocking them down with long poles, bring away thou- 

 fands. Formerly, you could not go into a little Indian town, in 

 Their oil. j-^g interior parts of Carolina, but you would find a hundred gallons 

 of Pigeons oil or fat, which they ufe with their mayz, as we do 

 butter J. They fcorn to obtain that ufeful article from the quiet 

 employ of the dairy J but are fond of the fimilitude, provided it 

 could be obtained by any means fuitable to their active fpirir. 



M. du Pratz hit upon an ingenious expedient of taking them on 

 roofl:, by placing under the trees vefi"els filled with flaming fulphur; 

 the fumes of which afcending, brought them fenfelefs to the ground 

 in perfedl fliowers. 



I fhall conclude this account with what was communicated to me 

 by the late Mr. Ajhton Blackburne, from his own obfervations, or 

 thofe of his friends, who were eye-witnefles to the wondrous fa£ts 

 related of thefe birds. 



• Laivfott, 44. — The Rev. Mr. Burnahy relates the prodigious flights he faw paffing 

 in September, foutherly, over 'Menu England. He adds, he fcarcely met with any other 

 food in the inns he was at. p. 132. 



t ^"3' 99- t Laiv/in, 44. 



New 



