122 The Passenger Pigeon 



(Notes by the Allen Brothers, Joseph and Isaac, of 

 Manchester, Mich. A copy of their letter was re- 

 ceived through kindness of L. Whitney Watkins, of 

 Manchester, Mich.) 



We have had about fifty years' experience in the 

 business [pigeon catching], as we used to help our 

 father as long ago as we can recollect, he being one of 

 the best pigeoners in his day, working a great deal at 

 the business In the summer season. Until we were 

 twenty years old we lived on the shores of Lake Ontario 

 in Wayne County, N. Y. 



The pigeons used to have a flying course along the 

 shore of the lake on their way to the Montezuma 

 marshes after salt. Pigeons are very fond of salt, or, 

 rather, brine. It seems to be a necessary article for 

 them. Their course was generally from west to east. 

 They seldom flew west by the same route. How far 

 they came, we could not tell; perhaps from this State 

 or perhaps farther west. Sometimes they would go 

 west by the same route. If so, they were much easier 

 to catch than when going east. When going east they 

 were looking for salt; when west, for food. 



They used to commence to fly about the ist of April 

 and keep it up until the middle of June. After that 

 time they would scatter over the country, and did not 

 fly in large flocks as in the spring. 



