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 at a 

 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 (Tyrannus tyrannies') 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 (Colafttes auratus) and 

 some Red-headed Woodpeckers (Mela tier fies erythrocefhalus). They 

 did not come in flocks, but singly in large numbers. 



At the same time Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristatd) 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 ( Amfielis cedrornm) migrated south 

 very regularly. During the same month the plaintive melody of the note 

 of the Bluebird (Sialia stall'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 



